Here is her original letter.

Testimony Tuesday

This week’s testimony will be an extension of the Praise and Worship devotional that Kris and I have been featuring.

I sense the Lord wanted me to share an aspect of worship that is not commonly known or viewed as a form of worship. Per the dictionary; lamenting; laments: to express sorrow, mourning, or regret.

You might think that lamenting is just complaining but the two are very different in my opinion. (And, yes there may be some overtones of complaining in those laments)

For instance in the Book of Job you will observe a deep intimate conversation between Job and God. I find it very interesting because all that Job suffered he still spoke to God. He still went before Him. He still worshipped God in his pain.

Job trusted God even when his life fell apart, even when Job didn’t know the ‘why’ about his affliction he still honored God. And God saw every tear, every prayer, every moment of endurance.

You’ll also see that with David throughout the Psalms.

Lamenting is different from complaining, because it is done in relationship, knowing that God is there and hears you, and that there is still hope within that lamenting anger and sadness because you are turning it toward God, and yet you still have hope in God, you still believe. You can question God and ask ‘why me?’, but in the end you still turn to Him.

Complaining on the other hand is SELF. It’s all about you. You’re inconvenienced, and bothered, and nothing is working out the way you believe it should go. It’s always negative. And most of the time there is someone or something else to blame. But even in our complaining, sometimes God shows up because He is that good to us especially when we don’t deserve it. That’s grace!

But when we lament to the Lord about an unfavorable condition we are speaking to God Himself. We may not always understand the why about most of the events that surround us, but we still go to Him. This pleases God.

This is still considered worship because we are directing our emotions towards Him. We are acknowledging the fact that God is worthy enough so much so that we continue to seek Him for answers.

When we choose to look toward heaven, and present ourselves, our emotions, our anger even, we are still honoring God. This is a form of worship. He cares deeply when you are frustrated, hurting or angry. Just take it to Him, thank Him and praise Him for all He has done!


'Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.'
Job 1:20-22

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
Job 13:15

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Psalm 42:11

This first video is of a man having what he thought was going to be a disastrous day, ended up being humbled by God. What started out as complaining ended up a huge miracle he didn’t deserve…but God!

The second video is about the comparison of David’s lamenting and worshiping the Lord.

The third video is one I’ve posted before a long while ago but bears repeating.

And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches and spread them on the road…those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

I absolute love this!

Testimony Tuesday

Sometimes there are moments when we will all face uncertainty. It’s just part of life here on earth as we know it.

When life throws us a curve ball, we tend to panic maybe just a little…or a lot.
Perhaps an unexpected health issue shows up one day or a business deal that goes south. Immediately our minds begin to go down the ‘What if’ path.

It’s easy to take our focus off Jesus and highlight the problem, the issue, or the scenario that causes us to doubt. Or perhaps you might think; “I made a mistake.”

God never wastes pain, delays, or those unexpected setbacks. He uses all of it for our good.

What if those setbacks are set ups?
What if those mistakes are redirections?
What if those disappointments are divine revelations?
What if what you thought was a loss was actually a gain?
What if there is a blessing of a miracle being held just for you?

When we think it’s over, or we think we took the wrong path or made the wrong decision, God already accounted for it. He already knew this, and even if you did in fact make a bad decision or made that mistake He can still turn it into something good. This is miracle territory.

I’ve had to do some self talk about this very subject myself. It’s easy to get disappointed and discouraged. But what if we started praising and thanking God for what He is about to do even if we have no idea what that looks like yet?

We don’t have to have all the answers, nor have everything figured out before we move forward.
When I start to get discouraged or have fears, I will listen to worship music to fill the atmosphere. It does something to me, I feel the shift. The troubles are still there but it changes my attitude. I’m redirecting my thoughts towards Him now. His Peace is the breakthrough I needed for my heart and mind.

It has been said; sometimes the greatest act of faith is just to stand still and trust God.

Let’s focus on Jesus.
Let’s trust and surrender that thing, that issue, that worry to God.
Let’s praise God for all that He is doing and has done already and is going to do.
Praise Him anyway in the midst of troubles.
He is our refuge and strength.
His timing is perfect.
Glory to God!

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalms 46:10

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah”
Psalms 46:1-3

I have this corner in my living room where I placed this wicker buffet. Usually it has some decor items like old vintage books and a vintage fan.

I decided to change it up a bit—inspired by an Instagram post I posted earlier this past week where a woman decided to represent Holy Week and replaced her mantel with things that represented events leading up to resurrection Sunday instead of traditional Easter eggs and bunnies.

No legalism here but to me Easter also represents Spring and nature coming to life after winter’s assault.

I still have my small collection of Easter stuff on display in other areas of my home.

Everything I used in the display represents that week—from the old silver coins to the linen.
(I chose to spare the unleavened bread in fear the cat would just ruin it anyway)

Now, I look in this corner and it is a constant reminder of what my Savior went through and did for me. I can’t say this is my happy place but it instills this visceral feeling of somberness in my soul, yet at the same time humility that causes me to ponder the cost for my life to be spared from what I truly deserve.

It’s hard to imagine sometimes.

Love is costly, love is sacrificial… isn’t it?

May the culmination of this Holy Week this weekend utterly fill our hearts with gratitude for the sacrifice made by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Lord of lords, King of kings.

Blessings,
Paula
@CallToBattle

https://youtu.be/QhIsiX3aJjk? Welcome to the world little ones.🦅🦅