Dear fellow Christians, I have a challenge for you:)

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Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,213
2,548
113
#1
Bad days and tough times will come maybe it already has for you maybe it will come tomorrow or next week. I desire nothing more than for ppl to become closer to God and to enrich their love and relationship with him and so I have a challenge for you that just might help with that. it is the worlds custom to curse complain and moan when th9ings are going bad or when they are having a rough time or a really bad day but God's kingdom is an upside down kingdom his ways work the exact opposite of ours.

Here is my challenge for all who dare to take it, when things are going wrong when you are having a bad time when you feel sad or are in pain in any way physically emotionally and spiritually when you are just having a crappy day I want you to practice praising God instead of complaining and moaning, thank him for your troubles praise him for anything and everything and see how it changes things, not just your day or how you handle tough times but also your relationship with him.
 

ArtsieSteph

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2014
6,194
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Arizona
#2
I like it. I'm gonna try it. Though it would be hilarious to see people's reactions when if they could hear my angry inward garbled shouts of

THANKYOULORDFORTHISGLORIOUSDAAAAAAYYYYY
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
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#3
Blain, this isn't personal to you, but people, please, don't have an expectation of bad things or negativity. Don't expect bad days but expect good because the Lord is good. He brings peace and joy. He blesses you and surrounds you with goodness. If people say "when" so much in a sentence I guard myself and my mind, even canceling their words in Jesus' name so as to not allow it to speak over my life.

We ought to be careful with how we word things because there is power in the tongue. When we say "when" that is an expectation of something to happen and so lets choose our words wisely and in such a way that glorifies God and His promises.

PS: I suppose my challenge to you Blain would be to replace when with "if" and in that case, if such negative days come praise the Lord because in praise you have victory. Praise is a grasping onto the promises of God, when we praise we are declaring victory because we are calling out His names. Do you need healing? He is Jehovah Rapha, "The Lord Who Heals" for example. Praise is like prayer in a sense and you are singing forth an expectation of deliverance. "You are the Lord who heals, thank you my God, praise your wonderful name!" You are coming in agreement with God, with the spiritual truth and letting it transform your surroundings.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,213
2,548
113
#4
Blain, this isn't personal to you, but people, please, don't have an expectation of bad things or negativity. Don't expect bad days but expect good because the Lord is good. He brings peace and joy. He blesses you and surrounds you with goodness. If people say "when" so much in a sentence I guard myself and my mind, even canceling their words in Jesus' name so as to not allow it to speak over my life.

We ought to be careful with how we word things because there is power in the tongue. When we say "when" that is an expectation of something to happen and so lets choose our words wisely and in such a way that glorifies God and His promises.

PS: I suppose my challenge to you Blain would be to replace when with "if" and in that case, if such negative days come praise the Lord because in praise you have victory. Praise is a grasping onto the promises of God, when we praise we are declaring victory because we are calling out His names. Do you need healing? He is Jehovah Rapha, "The Lord Who Heals" for example. Praise is like prayer in a sense and you are singing forth an expectation of deliverance. "You are the Lord who heals, thank you my God, praise your wonderful name!" You are coming in agreement with God, with the spiritual truth and letting it transform your surroundings.
I don't think I could change it even if I wanted to due to the time line we are given to edit posts but I don't see any need to change it because bad days will come regardless if we say if or when the point of this was to change how we deal with it when it does. I personally don't want to only praise him and be thankful to him in just the good times but in the bad too.
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
981
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#5
I don't think I could change it even if I wanted to due to the time line we are given to edit posts but I don't see any need to change it because bad days will come regardless if we say if or when the point of this was to change how we deal with it when it does. I personally don't want to only praise him and be thankful to him in just the good times but in the bad too.
I didn't mean literally like right now in that particular post. haha :D I meant in general, we ought to choose our words wisely. :) They tell a lot about ourselves and our faith.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
3,650
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#6
1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,213
2,548
113
#7
I didn't mean literally like right now in that particular post. haha :D I meant in general, we ought to choose our words wisely. :) They tell a lot about ourselves and our faith.
This is true,

Proverbs 10:19
Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.

Proverbs 17:27
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 29:20
Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them

James 1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
981
113
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#8
This is true,

Proverbs 10:19
Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.

Proverbs 17:27
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 29:20
Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them

James 1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Yes, imagine God spoke the world into existence! There is power in our words, and we need to be careful not only what we speak to ourselves but others. If we tell someone they are worthless for example, it will affect the way they carry them self. If we tell someone they have great purposes in God's Kingdom and they are a member of the Kingdom their shoulders may straighten up and they will carry themselves with a sense of worth. We can use our words to exhort others and not tear them down, to give them hope and worth.

Not only is there that aspect, but also when we speak it comes with expectation. Its like when we pray the word says to believe that you have received and it shall come to pass. Expectation is important and brings things about. Well if our words are telling us when we heal the sick, there is an expectation of a day in which the Lord will use you. When I go to the grocery store, you are speaking of something to occur. In the same way if you say when such and such happens, you are placing that expectation upon your walk. Expect what God tells you to expect.

Jeremiah 29:11New American Standard Bible (NASB)

11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans forwelfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Believe God's promises and speak in such a way as to lay hold of them by faith! This isn't trying to be like Word of Faith but it just simply a mindset that realizes that our words matter, it reveals our hearts. If our hearts expect God to be good to us, we have faith that He will do as He says and prosper us, its a matter of the heart.


Luke 6:45English Standard Version (ESV)

45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#9
I believe that it is right and good that we thank God for everything, and continue to praise Him "through it all". However, I have learned not to bypass my feelings, and jump over to that place too soon.

First of all, I let the tears flow and share how I feel with the Lord in line with the scripture that tells us to "Pour out your heart before the Lord". Even David in the Psalms did that. After I allow Him to comfort me, then I begin to thank Him for whatever has come about in my life, knowing that He will be glorified in that very thing.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,213
2,548
113
#10
I believe that it is right and good that we thank God for everything, and continue to praise Him "through it all". However, I have learned not to bypass my feelings, and jump over to that place too soon.

First of all, I let the tears flow and share how I feel with the Lord in line with the scripture that tells us to "Pour out your heart before the Lord". Even David in the Psalms did that. After I allow Him to comfort me, then I begin to thank Him for whatever has come about in my life, knowing that He will be glorified in that very thing.
This is also true God treasures an honest heart, there were times I cried out to him in frustration I was frustrated with him and I remembered in that moment how honest david was with God even in his anguish and so I wasn't afraid to express my frustrations to him without the fear of being struck by lightning lol.

But at the same time I have practiced thanking God in my troubles and praising him in hard times and yes at first it was hard because I wanted to do anything but thank him and praise him but as I continued to do this practicing it with the motive in my heart to become closer to him it began to become natural it became easier and then eventually I found joy in praising him in my trouble and pain and sadness, like a light lit up inside me as i was praising him in the storm
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#11
oh great put the stress on me blain...blain says start praising instead of complaining...
Start singing instead of whining......give thanks instead of cursing that stupid thing that won't go together.....sing louder when you feel road rage coming on.... shout with joy instead of saying that cute little word that expresses the frustration you feel at the moment.......ok ill try it blain......but...a.....my stomach hurts....headache....it's not going to be easy.
 
4

49

Guest
#12
Phil 4:11-12
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#13
It really doesn't matter if you feel like giving praise or not. Remember, it is from our spirit that we praise. And sometimes our feelings just don't line up. I used to worry that my praise and thanksgiving would not be honest unless I felt it. Until I realized that my spirit doesn't need to be ruled by my flesh.

And feelings usually follow actions.
 
O

oldthennew

Guest
#14
One of our most loving challenges is when our Saviour asks us,
'how much do you Love Me'???

our answer is, IF we can be honest and be truthful, I pray, is, You are our LOVE, and our LIFE:)
 
P

purpose

Guest
#15
John 16:33

" I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace, In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world"
 
A

Abing

Guest
#16
This is true. I applied this during my depression era and, you be the judge if it worked. (I honesly think it worked).

God inhabits the praises of His people.
In his presence, there is fullness of joy.
And out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Thank you, Blain.
 
K

Kaycie

Guest
#17
I don't gripe and complain. I don't swear or blame God. Misery in my world is the norm, so I am delighted when something good happens. I can honestly say I take nothing for granted, but am always thankful. I live in a constant thought of thankfulness to God. Like Job, whether I am blessed or oppressed, im going to love God just the same.
 
O

oldthennew

Guest
#18
sorry ya'all, we're just gonna half to stand-up real tall and give
abing a huge good-ole-sourthern bear-hug'......

I'm gonna have to stand up real tall and give my heart to ja'll, amen...
























































































































































































gonna haf ta stand












-
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,706
3,650
113
#19
oh great put the stress on me blain...blain says start praising instead of complaining...
Start singing instead of whining......give thanks instead of cursing that stupid thing that won't go together.....sing louder when you feel road rage coming on.... shout with joy instead of saying that cute little word that expresses the frustration you feel at the moment.......ok ill try it blain......but...a.....my stomach hurts....headache....it's not going to be easy.
AND YOUR BACK IS TO THE WALL!!

mulligrubs.jpg

 
A

Abing

Guest
#20
sorry ya'all, we're just gonna half to stand-up real tall and give
abing a huge good-ole-sourthern bear-hug'......

I'm gonna have to stand up real tall and give my heart to ja'll, amen...

gonna haf ta stand

-
Lol, thank you for the massive bear hug you both. Thank God for people like you. <3 And Blain, and everyone else here who continue to encourage people in every way, (for praying for and encouraging the lonely and depressed broken hearts who come here for comfort.)
 
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