Category: Giving Thanks & Praise to God

A Better Way of Eating

I didn’t eat it
But it was hard to resist
My body wanted to take that kitchen trip
But the food I could stand to miss

Not that it was bad, it’s just not in the best interest for me
As I strive to be more healthy
Wanna ditch the pills and do it naturally
Lord, thanks for helping stick to a better way of eating

Some foods I grew up on, I don’t eat no more
And don’t season food as heavy as before
And new cooking methods I’ve started to explore
Added new things to the diet too
Like snacking on more nuts and fruits
Even put in a request to a company
To make my favorite snack more healthy
Lord, thanks for will power for a better way to eat.

Scripture Reference: Matthew 26:41, Psalm 139: 14
Background
Certain foods sure look and smell good especially when you are trying to avoid them. But in order to keep the blessing of good health, we have to eat what is good for our bodies. After all, Psalm 139:14 tells us our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made. And through prayer, God helps us to avoid temptation. Matthew 26:41 tell us to watch and pray that we enter into temptation because the flesh is weak.

To Praise From Pity

Sometimes my mind focuses on what I don’t have
Or on all the fun that I’m missing out on
But that perspective changes for me
When I walk down certain streets
And the plight of others I see

Some may not have a home or be hungry
Others need to ask strangers for money
Yet others have physical or mental frailties
And I’m reminded worse my life could be
So my mind does 180 degrees

I may not have all I want, but got what I need
And so I go to praise from pity
Praise the Lord for the sickness from which he healed me
Praise Him for all the problems God solved miraculously
Praise Him for showing up in time of need
Praise Him that my blessings are so many
Morning and night new mercies I see
Praise Him that I’m in no state of pity.

Scripture Reference: Psalm 92:1, Hebrews 13:5
Background
Sometimes I see stuff I want or think about things I want to do to point where I can feel pitiful because I believe I’m missing out. But just a walk down some streets can change my feeling. When I see the conditions of some that I definitely wouldn’t want to be in; I start praising God for what I do have and for the state I’m in. Hebrews 13:5 tells us to be content with such things as we have for God will never forsake us and He will still bless us with the things that we pray for. But until He does, I’m going to be sure to praise Him for what He has already done. Psalm 92:3 says it is a good thing to give thanks and praise to the Lord.

Still Reasons To Give God Praise

I was able to go to church and get in my praise
But I can’t do anything else I planned today
The body won’t cooperate
I now understand the Scriptures in James (4:14)
Do what you can each day
As you don’t know what tomorrow will bring your way

But I won’t complain
There’s still reasons to give praise
I’m not in such shape that at home I can’t stay
I got a comfortable bed in which to lay
Got the juice and meds I need to take
So I’m really OK
I’ll just rest and pray
That I’ll feel better the next day

I’ve experienced in life
That even in dark moments, there’s something bright
It can be hard to see, but when you look carefully
And consider that worse it could be
There’s still reasons to give God thanks and praise.

Scripture Reference 1 Timothy 5:18
Background

Even when something bad happens, usually something good can be found in the bad, and that makes a reason to give God thanks. For example, you may be sick, but thank God for a bed to rest in or loving people to help you and to comfort you. You may not have a job, but thank God He is still housing and feeding you. Even when something bad happens all of a sudden, God can bring something good along with it. I remember just as soon as I fell off a bike, some stranger came walking down the street to help me get up. Things can always be worse, so I learned in everything to give God thanks.