Bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. 

~Isaiah 61:3 NIV

It was a cold winter’s day. So cold that I debated going for my daily walk with the dogs, worrying that it would be too frigid for their feet. Nevertheless, they were all anxious to get outside, so off we went. As we trudged around the snowy path, I pulled my parka hood up over my hatted head to try and cut the searing north wind. What a bitter day, I thought. Despite the cold, the beauty of the brilliant blue sky against the stark white landscape was a sight to behold. Best of all, however, was the heat of the sun beating down upon us, making our glacial experience that much more bearable.

That winter sun reminded me of the last part of today’s scripture verse: a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Life, like the weather, at times can become quite bitter, causing discouragement or even despair. But God understands this and gives us a remedy to make our difficult situations bearable.  Praise is the key to lifting our spirits and blessing us with the encouragement, hope, and strength to persevere amidst the winters of life.

Praise focuses our attention on the truth of who God is, what He has done in the past, and what He will do now and in the future. It also opens the door of hope, as well as expectancy. God is ever-present. God will never leave us but goes before us. He can lead us on the right path. Our God of peace will provide every good thing we need to do His will. God is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.  He hears us when we cry and answers our pleas. He can also do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever hope or dream–more than our highest prayers.

Yes, when we don the garment of praise amidst our times of discouragement or despair, our spirits are lifted. Our burdens also become lighter. Hope for today and tomorrow shines upon us, just as the warmth of that winter sun shone down upon me on that bitter winter’s day, giving me strength to keep going.

Let praise be the sun that warms your spirit in times of despair and discouragement.

Father God, thank You for the garment of praise. Let it banish the spirit of heaviness within my life when the storms of life assail me. Remind me, Jesus, to don it quickly and wrap it tightly around me.  In Your name I pray, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

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