In last week's blog, I mentioned that praise has "theraputic" value. One of the great challenges of our walk with God is staying centered...focused...maintaining proper perspective....seeing all of life from God's view as opposed to some other.
Psychology tells us that insanity is one's inability to see reality, life, as it really is. One who responds to his environment in aberrant ways, based on his view of it, is considered to have some measure of insanity, and may need assistance to restore proper thinking and behavior.
Having any perspective on life other than God's can put a lot of hurt on you...I call it spiritual insanity. We all know that God's perspective on life is the only accurate one and, getting "God's view for you" may be the most important thing we could seek after, as opposed to something the world or self might impose as true. The scripture teaches that "Nebuchanezzar, raised his eyes to heaven near the end of a time of insanity, and his sanity was restored...he praised the Most High...honored and glorified Him Who lives forever...."
Consider Jack Taylor's thoughts on this:
Praise decentralizes self and centralizes God and his love in the pattern of one's thinking. When God is forgotten, the mind is thrown off center. When love is restored, God is enthroned in his rightful place. Praise is the ax which cuts at the root of all those disorders which disintegrate us. Eternity alone will reveal how many people populate the institutions of our land who are there because of the absence of praise-and who stay there because it is not introduced.... Yet, no therapy would prove as immediately valuable as praise therapy. Whether the 'spirit of heaviness' mentioned in Isaiah 61 or a human spirit dominated by defeat, the fact remains that praise is a garment which will neutralize the spirit of despair!"
Let me challenge you, no matter what your life's issues are, begin to praise the Lord and notice how your perspective changes and your personal emotional and spiritual stability returns. The Psalmist declares: I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving...and it will please Him better than an ox or a young bull.... You who seek God, let your heart revive...for He will bring you up again from the depths...increase your greatness and turn to comfort you!!!
Praise The Lord!!!
Selah....
Mitch
