turn that frown upside down.

 The other day I was texting a friend. She had a rough day and was sharing with me some things that happened, but then she shared with me something cool that happened in her day! I loved that, even though all these things went wrong there was something good. This was my response....Even on the rough days there is at least one positive, almost always. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder.

I believe this was a total God thing, because as I was typing it out, I'm thinking to myself...wow. Okay, God. You're right.

I think it can be so easy to get so caught up in the drama, the sickness, the financial struggles, the relationship problems, the loneliness, the never ending list of things to do, that we allow those things to take up our attention. We end up spending all of our precious time thinking and dwelling on the awful things that are going on in our life, our struggles, our worries, and everything that has gone wrong or differently than what we planned for ourselves. But the thing is, yes life is hard sometimes, but I think in those times it's more important than ever to look for the positive things, the good things.

I want to give you a challenge today. If you are one who is just having a bad day, nothing is going right and you are just feeling down, take the time to think about the good things in your life today! Search for the positive things! It seems to make the rough days a bit better, gives you something to smile about.

I don't know if you are familiar with the song 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman or not, but lucky for you I am posting the link for his music video below. :) Also I will include the lyrics since the video does not have them!

                                                  "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name

My favorite line of the whole song says this: "Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes." There are 10,00 reasons and more for us to sing praises to God and give Him thanks, no matter what we are going through. Whatever comes our way, He promises us that He will not leave us or forsake us. So whatever you are going through today, know and believe that you are not going through it alone. God, the Creator of the Universe, gladly walks with you through this thing called life but not because He needs you or me, but because He chooses us. He wants us! He loves us. He cares for us.

I was reading through the book of Psalm, browsing through looking for a Scripture to share with you (Psalm has hundreds and hundreds of verses about giving thanks and praise!) and came across this. Psalm 149:4 says "For the Lord takes delight in his people...". Read that again and take in what that really means. The Lord delights in you! The definition of delight is something that gives great pleasure; joy. You my friend, give the Lord great joy!!! How cool is that?! He love love loves spending time with you. He is waiting to hear from you.

I encourage you to have a heart to heart with God. Call out to Him. Draw near to Him and I promise He will draw near to you! Pour your heart out to Him, share your worries, your fears, your hardships. Let go and let God take care of it. Trust Him. 

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with you, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent." Psalm 30:11

Delight in Him because He delights in you!!! And when you are having a rough day, week, month, or year....look for the positives. Remember the good things in your life and give Him thanks and all the praise! "For all your goodness I will keep on singing, 10,000 reasons for my heart to find!"