Let's Leave The Blues Behind!

Blues: Sorry, cast down, weary, grief, sad, depress, heart broken.

As we go into 2019, it’s important to remember that the Lord wants us to be thankful, full of joy, and in good spirits. After all, if you really think about it, God has it all under control. Ephesians 5:20 says, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Lord wants us to be happy and thankful every day, now how can we become cast-down, depressed or heart-broken if we are doing what God wants us to do?

Here's how we can do our part and beat the blues in this new year!!

1. Believe: what are we believing in? The positive word of God, of course! John 4:49-51 tells us, "The nobleman saith unto him, Sir come down err my child die. Jesus saith unto him, go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth." Jesus didn’t have to preach him a sermon, or show him a sign, the man simply believed. That’s the kind of trust we must have in His word.
2. Look for God's Purpose (i.e. Plan): to find God's purpose in this new year, we might have to go through a test; but friends, remember that tests are designed to take us to the next level - not to make us sad or cast-down. We’ve got to strive to go through each test with a thankful heart, knowing that our God is too holy, too righteous, and too just to allow anything to cross our path that’s not for our good and His Glory. As 1 Peter 5:10 says, "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."
3. Utilize the Promises in the Word of God: we must be sure to make use of God's word, and rehearse it back to Him. He said that He would never leave us nor forsake us; and that He is a very present help in the time of trouble. Philippians 4:19 says, "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" and Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." How can we become sad or cast-down if we are utilizing God's word?
4. Encourage other people: this may come as news to some, but it's not always about us! We must spread cheer, encourage, and motivate others. As II Corinthians 1:4 tells us, "Who comforteth us in all tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted to God."
5. Sing God's Praises: finally, no matter what our situation is, we must still be thankful. Look at Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25-26. They had been beaten and put into prison, and despite that, at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God. If they can sing praises after all they went through, surely we can manage to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and be thankful for the many, many wonderful things He has and is doing for us.

So you see, it’s easy to beat the blues In 2019 - we just need to continue to be thankful for all things and all situations. Remember, it’s essential that we give thanks, because God gives blessings by the way we give thanks.

With all that said, let the church say amen... and AMEN!