Monday 1 July 2013

Putting on the right clothes {fighting Monday morning blues}

I know I am not alone when I say I find the thought of a new week rather overwhelming.  A lot of people are back into their normal routine, and for a wife and Mum that usually means BUSY!

If I had a to-do list, it would be filled with many things that need to be accomplished this week.  The list of chores that need to be done seems never-ending.

We finish a day filled with God's Word, God's people and good preaching, only to be thrown back into a "normal" day.

It's tempting to feel overwhelmed, and downright miserable.

I have to confess, that it's more a Tuesday for me.  Mondays for us, are like everyone else's Saturday.  It's our family day, where we do more "fun" things.  But, Tuesday morning arrives, and you have to hit the ground running.

Whatever the day, I am sure you know the feeling very well.

I was finishing my reading of the book of Isaiah just last week.  Isaiah 61:3 talks about putting on some clothes that should help us this week.


"the garment of praise"



If praise is a garment, it's something we need to put ON.  A bit like the Christian's armour, it's something that we need to "wear", in order to be who we should be. In a sense, this item of clothing is as much to do with battle, as our "armour" is.  We are battling a spirit of heaviness - of feeling defeated, low and deflated. I know, for many, depression can kick in at any given point, and it's a battle that you can face on a DAILY basis.

The principle here, is of putting on PRAISE.  There is ALWAYS something to praise God for.  If you start to count your blessings, you will always be filled with a thankful heart. It's having our focus in the right place.

We can be in the most miserable of circumstances, but thankfulness and praise can still be put on. I often think of Corrie Ten Boom, and her sister Betsy praising God for the fleas.  It was, in time, to be found that God had planned that they would be instrumental in being a thing of GOOD, but they didn't know that when they were giving thanks!

It is the same for us.  We need to PUT ON praise.  I like to think of "praise" as a big cloak.  Not a skimpy item of clothing, that doesn't cover much, but something that wraps us up completely!  We should be surrounded by it.

It's not our SKIN though.  We don't just have it there as a natural part of our body.  We need to reach into our spiritual cupboard, grab it, and PUT IT ON! It's no use unless we are wearing it.  Plus, it's not just a fashion accessory.  It's not just to make us pretty, or to look good to other people.  It's functional, like a cloak or a coat.  We are PRAISING.  Praising God, instead of focussing on our circumstances.  Similar to putting a coat on when it's cold, we feel the effect immediately.  When we take our eyes off the negative, and focus on the positive, we are instantly encouraged and blessed.

How do we actually put it into practice, on a practical level?  We can pray.  We can bring our burdens to the Lord, and praise Him instead.  Thank Him for His goodness, and blessings.  I always try and bring praise as my first item of prayer.  The old acrostic "ACTS", is a good one.  Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. When we show our adoration for who God is, we are praising Him.  Our thanksgiving is praise, too.

We can think about the positives.  We can spend some time meditating on scripture.  Dig out your concordance, whether online or a hard copy, and look up reasons to praise God. There are LOADS!  Psalm 107 has to be one of my favourites.  The Psalmist says,  4 times in the one Psalm


"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"


If you think of the good things that God has done for you, and the ways He has worked in your life, how can we do anything BUT praise Him!?!?

Another way, is to talk about our blessings with others.  Share it!  Rejoice in God's goodness!  TELL YOUR CHILDREN!  Make sure they KNOW how blessed you are, as a family, and acknowledge where the praise should be.  If you have someone show you kindness, remind them we need to praise GOD, for it is HIM who is the giver of every perfect gift!  They are never too young to hear us praising God, and rejoicing in His goodness.

SING!  That's one of my favourite ways to praise.  I love to put on the ipod, plugged into the speakers, and sing God's praises.  We are told to do that, often, in the scriptures as well.  It's not just for a Sunday, you know?! It's for EVERY day! God's people should be a praising people, and that includes in song. It doesn't say it needs to be in tune, just a JOYFUL noise! *grin*

So, dear friends.  Are you feeling the burden of a Monday?  Are burdens pressing you down and make you feel miserable?

Grab that garment of praise, and change your day around!



2 comments :

  1. ABsolutely, Caroline! I think so often of the song we used to hear years ago: "Count your blessings, name them one by one ... See what God has done ... And it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

    I sing that - and take its lead - so often. It's a good habit to get into :)
    A x

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  2. ibeen reading samebook. thanks 4 the encouragement we so often forget. praise.

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