Psalm 9v1-2 says, ‘I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all the marvellous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.”
One of the greatest ways to worship and show appreciation to God is through thanksgiving. Our daily lifestyle should be that of thanksgiving and full of praise towards our Maker. After all, everything we are, we have, we possess and will possess in future is because of Him. Never get to a place in your life where you are just comfortable with waking up, getting on with your life and not setting time apart to praise, worship and give thanks to God.
There is also so much in power in having a thankful heart, regardless of your situation. Even in our most difficult circumstances, we ought still to praise Him and thank Him for all that He has done for us. Do not let circumstances dictate and channel your way of giving thanks and worship. It is very easy to feel disgruntled and become negative towards challenges and forget to give thanks and praise to whom it is due – God deserves all the honour and praise. Thanksgiving is simply acknowledging that it is He who is in charge of our lives; even though we go through hardships, he is still God and in control. Challenges do not change who He is, what He has done and what He can do for us.
At some point in our marriage journey, my husband and I endured so many hardships, and it could have been easy to give up and lose hope, but we remained thankful. I remember when I was pregnant, he lost his job and we had so much to do, plan and pay for. I continued to praise, thank Him and worship, even when I did not see a way out. But God being God came through for us and raised men and women who supported and came through for us. Our circumstances never stopped our praise. The Lord came through for us and my husband got a new job! However, at some point, my husband experienced a salary cut at his new job and I remember thanking God for doing exceedingly and abundantly for us. It was such a hard time, yet I gave thanks because I felt it could have been worse. He didn’t lose his job, he still had one. Even though the money was little, I was giving praise to the Ultimate Provider, our Lord and Saviour, because I saw Him providing for us and coming through for us, daily!
I want to encourage you to never stop praising him. Do not care about the noise around you, so many voices giving advice and leaving you feel fearful. Praise your way out: remember Paul and Silas, singing, praising and worshipping in the prison cells in the midnight hour. They understood the power of thanksgiving; they knew who God was and that He would come through for them. God can do it for you, too, and He will. Be thankful, be sincere, praise him and worship him.
“The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 9v9).
Love
Mpho Mokou
Mpho Mokou is married and a mother. She is the founder of Glow Ministries, where she uses her God given gift to encourage, give hope and help build women. She is currently working for a Christian radio station based in Pretoria as a music compiler, content producer and radio presenter. She also serves as a philanthropist, author and brand ambassador.