From burden to blessing: give Him Praise!
God has given us so much! We go from blessing to blessing. From the start of the day, we are woken by grace and sustained by grace throughout the day. I think that if we were to keep a record of everything that we notice in a day that God has provided, we would be overwhelmed.
Yet, it is often the things that are missing or wrong that our minds tend to linger upon. I’ve come to see that not as wrong (why am I so ungrateful?) but as a prompt. For prayer. For a realignment of my heart. For my focus to be readjusted.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Blessings can become burdens when our vision is off.
When we fail to recognize, appreciate, and give gratitude for what He’s given and allowed for goodness then they become too heavy to bear. They become things we begrudgingly carry and want to cast off.
But, what if, no matter what comes, we see ourselves as always seated at the table with our Lord?
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5
Process and products used:
This page in my Illustrating Bible by DaySpring features the following products by Creative Worship Stamps. These are affiliate links, please see the Privacy Policy for details.
- Peaceful Botanicals stamp set
- Print Script Lowercase Alpha Stamp Set
- Glory & Praise stamp set
- Vintage Ledger Page
I started by painting some sketchy leaves, with watercolour, to match the design of the stamp from the Peaceful Botanicals set. Once that dried, I stamped over them using the actual stamp in green ink. I stamped off the leftover ink on the stamp on the page to create a subtle background. I then coloured that in very lightly using a blending brush and green ink.
The title was done using the Print Script Lowercase Alpha Stamp Set as well as the Glory & Praise stamp set. The wordfetti-type phrases are also from the Peaceful Botanicals set.
I used the Vintage Ledger Page stamp to add a journaling spot for a prayer. I also stamped it in the upper left to add some texture to the page. Lastly, I added some washi for colour, and coloured in the word “praise” with a matching pencil crayon.
Be encouraged
🎶 Won’t Start Now ~ Seph Schlueter
The truth is that we are promised trouble in this world. Yet, we are also promised mighty help. We will be called to many things as we participate in the loving work of redemption God is doing. We will be given what is necessary for that purpose.
For one, those things are blessings. They are good things that God has provided for His glory but which also benefit ourselves and those in our midst.
Secondly, we get to participate. It is not up to us to be successful in them, though we should be diligent. He has not assigned work then left us alone. We can ask for His help to do His will, and to do it well.
I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.
Luke 1:38
