When the odds are stacked - Wait!

Growing up in a Christian home attending Sunday School, Sunday Mass, reading the scriptures, or going to Confession are some of the more known customs that individuals adopt over time and often hold true to their core years into their adult life. However, singing familiar hymns or short choruses during the day is rarely spoken about as not all of us are gifted with the voice of an angel. I know what you are thinking, " The Lord loves every voice", I am not here to dispute that but let's be honest, music is best when the voice is melodious. But despite this lack of talent, I know that many of us can be heard singing in our shower, in our bedroom, or to the top of our voices when we are alone in the house or better yet when we are going through a tough time. The truth is, music lifts our souls; the right song has the power to convict, transform and even inspire us in our darkest and most challenging moments. 

The song may just be a line that we repeat over and again because of the spark, it creates in our hearts or a crowd favourite that we can sing from beginning to end. Whatever the song, as Christians we sing when we can't find the words to pray. Or when we want to connect to our God in a newer and deeper way outside of the old " knee and talk". Music has the power to lift our souls to a place where prayer is heightened; we dance, clap, and beat imaginary instruments to the rhythm of the song we are listening to carelessly. 

But do you realise that this is also prayer? Did you know that this is an amazing way to connect to your Father?

Last week, I found myself in a similar space - singing. Daily, it seemed all I was doing was outing fires. And sometimes as Christians, these fires rob us of our ability to find clarity and press forward. Like any illness, the symptoms were real - my strength was low, my mind was preoccupied and my heart was searching. I might be exaggerating but I believe that I have even lost a few pounds as well. Instinctively, however, at this exact moment, I went back to that familiar place - worship. The songs were often spontaneous but they filled the gap perfectly. I knew then that I needed to sing to uplift myself and to change the atmosphere, but above all, I knew I needed to sing in expectation -  for, by faith, I believed that the Lord would come through with an answer for me. 

One of the songs which continually played around in my mind was "God loves a cheerful giver" which is largely based on 2 Corinthians 9:7-8. You may remember this song, the chorus goes something like this, God loves a cheerful giver, give him all you've got, he loves to hear you laughing when you're in an awkward spot. When the odds are up against you, it's time to stop and sing, " To praise God the Giver is a joyous thing".

Beloved, this song gave me comfort, it provided strength and at the same time, it was able to encourage me as I remembered the story of Job, who despite being a very wealthy man whom had lost everything he had through no fault of his, refused to submit to blasphemy against God. Even when his family cursed him, friends left his side, his health failed and his children perished one after the other, Job's faith in God was not shaken- he remained resolute. The teaching here is not to cry in anger when things do not work out for us the way we imagined or need them to, but to strive to praise God even in the harshest of circumstances because by faith we know that His plans are not to harm us but to prosper us, give us hope in Him and a future. 

I know that it is not within our DNA as humans to immediately begin praising God when things go awry, but why can't we change that? This response to challenges is not permanent. Think about it, we change our diets when we have health issues or want to lose weight. We change the way we discipline our children or respond to issues in the office, and we change the way we intervene in matters with clients for the better outcome of the company. So why can't we change how we respond when we don't get our way in a particular situation we have encountered or have been praying about?

" Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

This song, "God loves a cheerful giver' summarises what we are asked to do as Christians- Trust God even when it seems like the odds are stacked against us. Trust in His providence for us His chosen people. But we cannot trust God if we secretly undermine his work in our lives out of fear or a need to be in control. If we trust Him, we must WAIT! And waiting is never easy. But when you have a track record of always delivering on your promises as the Lord does, trusting Him becomes as easy as 123. As His children, we can rest assured that His will, will be done, not ours but even so, we will be alright in the end. 

So the next time you are facing a situation that seems to threaten your existence or force you into surrendering to the calculated and strategic attacks of the enemy, remember that in Christ you have the victory. It may not seem so now in your present state but He has already won the battle. Your duty now is to wait patiently for the clouds to clear and the music of triumph to be heard. In the interim, praise God, praise Him continually, with songs and like David remember to dance. Like me, choose to celebrate not because of the mess that surrounds you but in the expectation of the awesomeness that awaits all those who hope faithfully in God.

The song also tells us that we shouldn't try to run away from our situations or the direction that the Lord may be leading us in like Jonah did because as we have learned, He will find us wherever we are and it is always better to lean upon Him and confess our fears and shortcomings and ask for His guidance than to escape. So like a cheerful Giver, let's give Him praise and worship freely in accordance with the goodness that He has shown to us and know that this too shall pass; after all, it's only a temporary setback. So let's refrain from giving it permanence in our mind and heart, for they that WAIT upon the Lord shall be not be forsaken.

"Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with loud clashing cymbals!" Psalm 150: 1-6

In your prayer time, here are three of my favourite songs I remembered while writing this week's post. I hope they bless your heart and give you the inspiration you need for the week ahead. 

1. What Shall I Do  - Tramaine Hawkins 
2. We will wait  - Ron Kenoly
3. Wait on You  - Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music

How do you respond to a situation that overwhelms you? Let's discuss it! Visit our Facebook page Galilee Living today to share your comments. Make sure to Like and Follow us so that you will never be out of inspiration to keep you moving.

See you again Beloved, right here next week by the Grace of the Almighty.