Sacrifice Of Praise

Written by stacy

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.”
(Hebrews 13:15).

I was a young mother of five healthy, rambunctious children and had? a good husband. We had just bought our first home, a fine house in a peaceful country setting. I had everything I wanted, then why was I feeling so depressed? Day after day, a feeling of gloom stuck to me like tar.

One day as I was scrubbing the kitchen floor, oblivious to the small radio beaming its songs and messages, my tears mingled with the soapy water. I felt unappreciated, unloved and unfit to call myself a Christian. One look at me and people will say, ‘If she’s a Christian, who needs it?”

A voice on the radio arrested me. “Are you living on Grumble Street?” a gravelly voice asked. “You’re complaining about all the things that are wrong in your life. Stop it. Move over to Praise Street and begin to thank God for all the things that are right in your life. Offer him the sacrifice of praise.”

I sat up. If God had spoken my name out loud, it couldn’t have been more suited to my need. Then there’s something I can do? I thought. I don’t have to live like this? I began to write down my blessings and to thank God for them.

Thank you God for the man who picked up my garbage today.

Thank you for the helpful clerk in the store.

Thank you for the neighbor who waved at me.

Thank you for the picture my son drew for me at school.

And God, despite my negative emotions, I thank you that you still love me.

Did I feel better? No, not for awhile. Still, it was the beginning. Eventually my unruly emotions caught on to the spirit of thanksgiving and began to kick in with their own joyful sound.

Dear Father, help me to remember that every morning is a new beginning to create an atmosphere of thankfulness and joy. Amen.

Related Links:

Read Dave’s story of overcoming depression:

http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/dmdepression.html

About the Author
This article was written by Helen Lescheid. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/helen-lescheid/

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