I’m writing over at Proverbs 31 Ministries today and thought you might enjoy it too! Here you go!
The negative thoughts were rolling in like the tide, carrying trash from the sea of memories along with it. Certain aspects of my life hadn’t turned out like I thought they would, and I was mentally complaining…to God…about God. Why did you allow us to go through those years of infertility? All my friends are having grandchildren, and we’re missing out …again? God, I don’t like this part of my story.
Have ever dared to do such a thing? Complain to God about how your life’s unfolding? If so, don’t beat yourself up. When we read the Psalms, we see a lot of “this is not what I expected” and “where are you, God?” lamenting.
In Psalm 77, the writer, Aspah, bemoans the many disappointments in his life. It seems he’s complaining about how he feels God has failed him. Let’s read and see if we can relate to what’s bouncing around in his head.
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted…
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
“Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
The Psalmist was on a mental downward spiral where his thoughts were dragging his emotions along with them. But then something happened in verse 10. He decisively, determinedly, and drastically changed his thought trajectory.
“Then I thought…”
Those words stop me in my tracks. The writer made a pivot. A shift. A complete turnaround. It was a definitive moment that transformed his thinking.
Rather than listing the ways he felt God had let him down, he began remembering all the ways God had lifted him up.
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
He went on to remember and recount how God saved his people through Joseph’s leadership, parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross, and led the freed slaves out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. God was good after all! He just needed to change his focus from thoughts that made him emotionally cower to remembering God’s never-ending miracle working power.
“Then I thought.” Those three little words could possibly change our attitudes, emotions, and outlook on life. When we pivot to praise our perspective changes.
“Then I thought” of all the ways God had blessed me with grandnieces and grandnephews that I love to pieces. I thought of my niece, Grace Anne, who is the daughter of my heart. I thought of how God had blessed me with an amazing husband for 45 years and counting. The trajectory of my negative thinking moved from grumbling about what I didn’t have to gratitude for what I did.
God of miracles, please forgive me for forgetting all You’ve done in my life. Today I praise You for Your past provision and protection. You are the God who performs miracles. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
I’d love to hear how you’d fill in this blank. I was thinking one way about my struggles,
but then I thought__________________________. Leave a COMMENT and let’s share!
Digging Deeper
One way to stop our thoughts from that downward spiral is through praise and thanksgiving. When we open our eyes to recognize the good, God’s presence comes into focus. That’s what my book, A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More is all about: how to recognize God’s presence in our daily lives. Join me and let’s find His fingerprints together! (Also includes a Bible Study Guide)
Comments 33
I was thinking one way about my struggles, but then I thought I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus and no weapon firmed against me shall prosper.-Romans 8:37 and Isaiah 54:17 – Amen! 😃🙏🏾✝️
Author
Amen sister!
I was thinking one way about my struggles, but then I remembered that God gave me a wonderful husband, my daughter a wonderful husband, and my son a wonderful wife. I am full of gratitude!
Author
Blessings all!
But then I thought…..oh how God protected me before, during and after my divorce. If I’d never gone through that trial I would not have been humbled and realize how shallow my relationship with Jesus truly was.
Thank you for your words of encouragement!
Author
Amen!
Wow Sharon! This is right on time. I had one of those days just recently. Oh I was in a state of mind where I couldn’t pray, read my word or anything. I called a friend to ask her to pray for me. I could not be comforted. I cried and cried all day and night. Help me God, I need yiu You. About 3 orb4 in the morning I turned on a prayer and listened. Talk about God giving you what you need. He reminded me of His love for me and how He’s brought me through tuff times before. What I was going through was nothing new. He reminded me of David and his son Absolom. The heavyweight lifted and i felt the Holy Spirit comforting me. Thank you.
Author
Just beautiful!
I was thinking one way about my struggles, but then I thought He has come through every time I’ve needed Him and He’ll do it AGAIN AND AGAIN!!
Author
Yes He will.
But then I thought….. BUT for God where would I be; there is no one else to turn to!
Author
Amen.
Beautiful
Ah! I can relate! Change my thinking!
but then I thought…” I have a faithful husband. I have two sons who love Jesus! I am so blessed!”
Author
Blessings all!
Your message was refreshing for we do tend to forget what God has done for us and remembering he brought us through once and He will do it again THANKS FOR SHARING
Author
Yes He will.
I was thinking one way about my struggles, but then I thought about my mom (who is in heaven right now) and I remembered that God kept ALL His promises to her as she was so faithful in praising Him even in so many difficult times raising us 7 kids. She would share the stories with us how God will always be there for us even though we don’t feel it! “You cannot always go on feelings” she would say but “you must run that race to the end to get the prize”. I watched her through the years cry out to God with all the trust and faith she had and that is how I keep on going by remembering her walk with the Lord — what a testimony for Jesus — and now I share these stories with my children and grandchildren to give them that eternal HOPE that can only come by following Jesus.
Author
Beautiful!
Sincerely curious – But then didn’t God lead them into the desert where they were in the wilderness? Genuine question what you’d answer to them for that. Was their deliverance pretty much not individual but national, and they’d look for deliverance in Heaven alone ultimately and not hope for things here?
Author
God did lead them into the wilderness and provided for them at every turn. Manna. Water. Quail. And yet the first generation grumbled and grumbled the entire time. Until God said,enough. Then He brought the believing second generation into the Promised Land. What a lesson on grumbling about God’s provision!
‘Then I thought’ is something very difficult for me. I’m a middle age widow with a son and daughter. The three of us are completely on our own, had to move from our family home to a temporary rental in our city until we find a home. I’m now facing surgery and we are alone. Thank you for sharing this.
Author
Are you a part of a church family?
Your prayers would be greatly appreciated. In the midst of undergoing tests for abdominal problems, I had a mammogram yesterday and they found a mass. Next steps – more mammography and ultrasounds. Please pray that it will be benign. This morning I read your timely devotional on Psalm 77. Transformative thinking for sure. I began to pray, thanking the God of miracles and how he has lifted me up at crucial times in my life and healed me. It gave me such peace. God really spoke to me through this devotional. God is good! Thank you Sharon!
Author
Praying now! Let us know what happens. God’s got this.
Then I thought how God has remained faithful in His pursuit of my WHOLE heart despite my stubbornly slow response. As painful as the discipline is I recognize so many blessings in His grace. The mercy shown by Him as well as church and blood family and friends. His provision in many ways for our family. Trusting God’s motives are always for the best. Praising God as He continues to draw me near to heal in union w/ Him to grow to glorify His name!
This is exactly where I am . Sharon I hope you never stop writing . Your devotions are the one God speaks to met heart through! I will choose praise
This is exactly where I am . Sharon I hope you never stop writing . Your devotions are the one God speaks to met heart through! I will choose praise
I’m entering the season of autumn with winter looming and it’s a struggle! So many things in the past to thank God for…. but what now? Not entirely rusted out but not shiny anymore either. How do you transition gracefully and Godly? I’m sorry that I am a little off topic….. Can you write about this sometime?
And then I thought. God will never leave us nor forsake us. God is Faithful.
I remember that he brought me through this and he brought me through that and this too shall pass.
I was thinking one way about my struggles,
but then I thought__________________________. I can think whatever I want to but it doesn’t have to be negative. Once I think about what I’m thinking about; like Asphad, I pivot to praise and thanksgiving.
Thank God for all the blessings he’s given to me big and small!