Do you feel like while life is going on, some things seem to be on repeat? Maybe you feel like you are in a rut? Or like there are certain things that just keep on happening, over and over? I can relate, and I believe that many of us go through times like that.
I was reminded this week of a truth that I have known before, and just needed a reminder of it again.
It all started with a video I saw on Facebook, that started out talking about getting a song stuck in your head. Have you ever experienced that? I know I have, and our son used to do his best to get "It's a Small World" stuck in my head as often as he could. However, he couldn't get the tune right, so it usually didn't work. (Whew!)
The most effective way that I have had work the most often, is to sing another one. Occasionally, I have to be more persistent in the intentionality to replace the old, usually annoying, song with the new one. However, it is time for a new sound, a new song.
((Image taken from https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/you-talk-too-much-8-words-for-the-wordy-and-talkative)
If I were to ask you to tell me about you, how would you respond? I know many would respond with what they do to answer that question. They would give their job title, their family status, their financial status; and some would even tell about their age, their health, their health status. I have been guilty of doing some of that before, even recently. I have heard someone say before that when the more mature people in his community, when he was a child, would ask each other how their "complaint" was. At that time, it was funny, but now it breaks my heart. BUT it also makes me think.
What am I saying? What am I known for talking about? What do I say about myself?
There are two voices over me that matter the most. The voice of the Lord and what He says about me. Then what I say about myself. What sound am I releasing over me??
I have heard a lot of other people's opinions of me, and the unkind words. They can form a song that I tend to repeat over myself. What does this do? It tears you down, and can leave me with the feelings of despair, and depression.
I am reminded of a verse that was brought to my attention just a week ago. Psalm 42: 11- "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." (NKJV)
When I find myself singing the old "song", or repeating the old words, repeating other people's opinions, or the negative. It is time for the "song" to change. Time to speak to myself, and remind myself that my hope is in God. It is time to remember the times that prayers have been answered, or that "troubles" have lifted. It is time to remember that God never leaves or forsakes me.
It is encouraging to read the example of David encouraging his own heart, and it is a good thing to practice. So, I looked through the Psalms to see where else David sounded like he was encouraging himself, and I came across another chapter that is currently becoming a favorite. Psalm 103, I am going to type out verses 1 through 8.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy." (NKJV)
The whole chapter is amazing, but as I read this passage, to me, it looks like David is again encouraging himself. Read the passage again just listen to it. I'm going to type it out again.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits - This to me sounds similar to the above passage, where David is encouraging himself. But it sounds like it has maturity or experience behind it.
Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. - This is David reminding himself of the faithfulness of God throughout his life. He knows the Lord has been there to forgive him, to heal him, to keep him in the destruction, and tops it off with love and mercy! Great reminder!
Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. This reminds me of Isaiah 40: 31, right?! (But those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.")
Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life. His Word is water to our soul- those are "good things", and they definitely satisfy.
The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. - God is not holding back. He is the righteous Judge, He is a Good Father, and He makes His ways known. Not just to Moses and the children of Israel- He shows us what He's done, and knowing what He has done, opens the door for it to happen again.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. - He is a good Father, one that you can run to when there is trouble. He is not the big meanie up there waiting to knock me over the head when I mess up. He is always cheering us on to do well.
As I have taken the time to read through this passage, now two times, I notice that it has shifted my focus from me and mine, to Him and His.
When I am focusing on me and mine, the scope of the vision is much smaller, and tends to see what is stressful, painful, or wrong. (Or at least what I perceive is wrong, plus I forget that God works everything for good, for those that love Him.)
When I am focused on Him and His, the scope of the vision is much larger, and tends to see what is good, and all that He has done. His love, His faithfulness, His mercy, as well as all the times that He has already come through.
Often songs speak to me in many different ways. And when they come to mind repeatedly it stands out.
So, as I was going through all the studying, and digging, for the message from these thoughts, there was a song that kept coming to me. I've heard it on the radio occasionally. It is called Counting My Blessings and it is by Seph Schlueter. And as I am typing out this post, I am reminded of the song from the movie White Christmas, that Bing Crosby sings to Rosemary Clooney at the inn, called Count My Blessings Instead of Sheep.
I love the part of the first song that I was hearing then. It says, "One, two three, up to infinity, I'd run out of numbers, before I could thank you for everything. God I'm still counting my blessings, all that you've done in my life. The more that I look in the details, the more of Your goodness I find."
Too many times I find myself rehearsing, or counting out all that hurts in my body, or all that looks like makes it a "bad day", and what is the result- my mood is in the basement, and I am grumpy.
When I find that thought pattern playing in my mind, it's time for a reset. So I remind myself of some of the verses that speak what God says about me, like these:
I am not the same because He has made me new. (2 Corinthians 5: 17)
God has not given me a spirit of fear. He HAS given me power, love and a sound mind.
(2 Timothy 1: 7)
I am His masterpiece, created to do good works He planned for me to do. (Ephesians 2: 10)
I am grateful because He has qualified me to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints and because he delivered me from the power of darkness. (Colossians 1: 12-13)
I am confident that He who began a good work in me, will complete it. (Philippians 1:6)
Then remembering that "death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18: 21), and "pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24)
I want my tongue to speak life to those around me, as well as to myself. I want my words to be like a honeycomb that spreads sweetness to those that hear it.
Speak this out loud, releasing it over yourself. I am loved, I am forgiven, I am healed, I am blessed, I am Yours!
Lord, I am going to count my blessings, and thank you for each one! I remember the times You have been there for me, and with me through each day. I will speak Your Word over me and over those around me, and my day. I know that all You have brought me through so far, has helped to make me who I am today, and that process is not complete. I also know that You are Good, and that You never leave me or forsake me. You always work for the good in my life. I am here today, because of your love and mercy. Thank you!!
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