Praise, Prayer, & Encouragement
Personal protective gear, or PPE, was something I hadn’t thought about until this year. There was no need for PPE in my accounting practice. However, it was very much on my mind as the daily news related its lack as COVID-19 spread in March. Lately, I have been thinking about it from a spiritual point of view. God has provided PPE for us that never runs out.
I reflected on spiritual PPE as I recalled the events of a year ago. I was sitting in the hospital praying for my son. He had lost 40 pounds in a month and was gravely ill. It was a terrifying time. Untold tests, procedures, an operation, along with diet change, and today he is almost back to his old self. During this time, I was reminded of something my favorite Bible teacher had said years ago. “There are times when we have to hold on to Jesus for dear life.” My son’s illness was one of those times for me. I couldn’t see the future or an end to his struggle. Everything seemed to be in slow motion as if it would never end. It was difficult to have a vision of a healthy son again.
I continually prayed for him. I offered a “sacrifice of praise” despite the dire circumstances. I was grateful for the encouragement of nurses, doctors, the Chaplin at the hospital, and friends from home. But I was frightened. I was clinging to the promises of Jesus with every fiber of my being. Today, I realize I was applying the perfect personal protective equipment of God. I praised Him as a sacrificial offering. I prayed and received His encouragement through scripture and friends.
The year of COVID has felt similar with its unknown resolution and the sense it will never end. We closed up, opened up a little, and then closed up partially again, never feeling truly free and safe to move around. However, experience teaches us at some point, COVID will end or at least become manageable. There will be permanent changes to our world: new economies, new businesses, and new methods of teaching. There will be a cure, a vaccine, or successful medications discovered.
Practicing the Perfect Personal Protection
In the meantime, I must hold on to Jesus; always remembering each day is a gift, a privilege. We serve a God of love, peace, joy, mercy, justice, and compassion. We begin with Him and end with Him. When we are filled with His Holy Spirit, encouragement takes hold. As we are personally encouraged, we can support others by practicing God’s perfect PPE—praise, prayer, and encouragement.
Recently, the women’s group I attend was studying Psalm 139, one of my favorite passages. In the final verses, David prays, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in an everlasting way.” It is a simple but heartfelt request. I can choose to hear David’s prayer and walk away with pleasant thoughts or apply these words to my daily life. Very quickly, God gave me the opportunity to apply.
The day began so sweet and joyful, but quickly I found myself sad and irritable. What had happened? As the day progressed, my mood did not improve. Finally, I stopped and prayed the prayer of David. I asked the Lord to, “Search my heart, my thoughts, and expose any hurtful way in me.” I asked Him to reveal when this change in mood took place. What transformed my peaceful thoughts into anxious ones? As I thought about the events of the day, God showed me it was jealousy. This was a shock! I don’t think of myself as a jealous person. The weed of jealousy had begun to grow during a phone conversation. A precious friend was sharing a joy she had experienced. It was a blessing from God that I have always desired but do not have. I rejoiced with my lips but not my heart. The weed of unhappiness grew throughout the day.
Facing our Heart’s Desires
When I remembered David’s prayer, God revealed my heart was jealous. He disclosed my thoughts, which had become sad and anxious. He showed me this progression had led to hurtful ways which led to irritability towards my sweet husband. My heavenly Father then gently led me out of this discontent with His graciousness. He reminded me to be kind to myself. There was nothing wrong with my desires. My mistake was letting them keep me from sincerely sharing in the joy of my friend. He understood my longings. He showed me mercy and love as I gave them to Him. I began to praise God for all that I did have. I prayed and thanked Him for his understanding and forgiveness. As I confessed this embarrassing jealously to God, He also provided a friend to encourage and lift me up just when I needed it.
The perfect PPE—praise, prayer, and encouragement. Praise be to God.
Blessings,
Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.
Scripture for Meditation
Some Scripture to supplement your thoughts about the post, The Perfect PPE. Meditate on these verses of praise, prayer, and encouragement!
Psalm 139 – You have searched me, Lord…
Psalm 147:1-11 – How good it is to sing praises to our God…
Ephesians 6:10-18 – The Armor of God
Psalm 116:17 – To Thee, I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Hebrews 13:15, 16 – Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect to do good and share; for with such sacrifices God is, please.
Hebrews 3:13 – But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you.
I Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Did you know the Greek word for encouragement is Parakaleo? This is a powerful word meaning to call to one’s side, comfort, console, admonish, teach, encourage, and strengthen.
Music for Reflection
A few songs for PPE— not personal protection equipment, but rather praise, prayer, and encouragement! Music for your reflection after reading my post, The Perfect PPE.
