But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. -Psalm 71:14 NLT

Recently had to go for a small medical procedure, it was nothing big and I’ve had this certain procedure done before, but every time in the past that I’ve had to do this, I would end up feeling really ill afterward. So, because of my past, I was dreading going in to the appointment because I just knew I was going to get that awful feeling. As I was in the medical office trying to take deep breaths and calm the anxious nerves, my mind went to these writings. So, I did what I always do in times of stress, I prayed. I closed my eyes, but this time instead of asking for God to help me through the procedure without feeling ill, I just simply started to praise Him. I took my mind off of me and what I was going through and adjusted my focus to Him. By digging in to the verses I had memorized and the attributes of God that I had committed to memory from Psalms, I praised God. I praised Him for being my Rock and my Helper. I praised Him for being my Fortress and my Shield. Through the praise and recalling what I had committed to memory, the procedure was done in less than two minutes and I was able to leave without the slightest hint of sickness. Now I know this is just a small minuscule example of His power, but to me at the time, it was a confirmation of the power of adjusting the focus from ourselves to the One who helps us.

Today, even if you’re not going through any moments of high stress, anxiety, or worry, practice your praise. Make it a goal to commit a few of your favorite verses to memory. Look over the attributes of God all throughout the Psalms and memorize them. Store all of this goodness and power away in your mind so that when you are going through something, there will be a list of praise, promises, and attributes of the One who can help us make it through. Let’s always remember to praise Him more and more.