One way to lighten your mood

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22
Luke 8:4-21
Psalm 69:19-36
Proverbs 12:2-3

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 69:30 "I will praise God's name with song and exalt him with thanksgiving."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Life can get tough. Sometimes, it can seem as if it will swallow you alive.

Financial burdens. Stresses at work. Relationship problems in the family. Church discord. On and on this list could go.

If we aren't careful, we will settle into a low-grade discouragement.

So, how do we work to lift our mood? If we are waiting on our feelings to lead the way, we will almost certainly never feel like doing it. We've got to defeat the problem in our mind and let our emotions follow behind.

Our verse for today gives us exactly the kind of actions that will lift our mood.

Psalm 69:30 "I will praise God's name with song and exalt him with thanksgiving."

"I will" - It's an act of the will. You simply chose to do what you may not feel like doing - but do it anyway.

"praise God's name" - That means that you are reflecting on His character and speaking of how wonderful He is.

"with song" - God has made us musical creatures. We generally love music. Our culture has been blessed with so many songs of praise - so pick one and sing it. And sing it from your heart.

"exalt Him" - That means that you are lifting Him up. Now, let's be clear, God is already highly exalted. Nothing we do can "lift him up." But, too often, He is not highly exalted in our minds. We don't acknowledge His greatness. So, we need to acknowledge it and recognize that He is sovereingly reigning over all things. He's got it under control.

"with thanksgiving" - Just Google the relationship between a grateful heart and a happy heart. Studies show that these two go hand in hand. You want to be happy? Learn to be thankful.

God isn't shown to be the wonderful God that He is when His followers are walking around with an upside down smile. But, we don't want fake, plastered smiles either. Praise the Lord and exalt Him with a grateful heart and the smiles will naturally follow.