Wearing the Garment of Praise

"To console all those who mourn in Zion. To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."- Isaiah 61:3

A couple of months ago I learned a family member of mine had been killed instantly in a car accident. I hadn't seen or spoken to this family member in years, yet grief gripped me within moments of hearing the news. Within half an hour I was curled up in a ball in my husbands arms crying until I felt I had no tears left to cry. The grief and heaviness crippled me nearly the entire day. The plans I had made to spend quality time with my husband and children were traded for hours spent in bed. While grief is a very real and normal part of life, it puzzled me that this particular incident had rendered me nonfunctional for the better part of a day. Death is not new to me. I have been losing family members since the age of 8, and until this most recent death, I was under the impression that I handled death well. It wasn't until I woke the following morning and had to will myself out of bed that I realized something very different was going on with me. It went much deeper than the death of a loved one. I knew God was showing me something in the midst of my pain.

Eager to grasp an understanding of what the Father was trying to show me, I went to Him and asked for clarity. I admitted the depth of my pain to Him and asked Him to not only heal me, but also give me an understanding as to why I was unable to shake the pain. It was in that moment that the Lord reminded me of Isaiah 61:3; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

God has given each of us a garment of praise. What we do with that garment is up to us. When I made the decision to put on my garment of praise, immediately the spirit of heaviness left and I felt whole again. The reality of the loss is still very present with me, but the grief and heaviness that were holding me captive released the moment I began to praise God. I danced, sang, and shouted all by myself in a tiny room giving God all of the praise I had from the inner most parts of me. It was to date one of the single most freeing experiences I have had the honor of experiencing. The revelation of the power of praise has once again changed my life forever.

It wasn't that I didn't know to praise God. Actually, it was quite the opposite. I've always believed in praising God no matter what. Sadly though I would often carry the burdens and pains of life until I was able to get to church to release it. After moving around with the military and being in numerous situations where my house was "the church" I have learned to put on my garment of praise immediately. There is no need to carry pain and sadness simply because we are waiting on a church service. Anyone can praise God through pain in the midst of a Spirit filled service, but can you put on that garment when it's just you and Jesus and that pain is fresh? I've learned and I am still learning that the greatest measure of my walk of faith is not what goes on when others are around (my husband and children included), it is what goes on when it is just me and Jesus! Those are the moments that determine who I really am. When faced with hurt and pain, do I wallow in it, or do I go directly into praising my King?

The enemy does not deserve a single moment of my time or attention. With that knowledge I chose to wear my garment of praise continuously. I will not give the enemy an inch. In my praise, God destroys things. My praise is a weapon that shakes the very foundations of the kingdom of darkness for when I praise, Jesus shows up! My praise creates an atmosphere for God to dwell. When He steps on the scene, everything else has to bow!

Since this situation, I have found myself going into praise so much faster now, and that alone has saved me so much emotional stress and frustration. It is liberating to focus on God rather than the situation. I have also found my resolutions come much faster, and even if the manifestation is delayed, I rest in the knowledge that Jesus heard my cry and it's only a matter of time before I will see natural results! I have learned to ask God to help me see the situation from His perspective. God never allows anything to happen to us without purpose. If I grasp a glimpse of purpose, it is all worth it, for I know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to glory that will be revealed in us! To God be the glory!

Women of God, be encouraged. Wear your garment of praise like it's your favorite and only suit! Never take it off, not even to clean it.... in His presence we are made clean anyway!

God bless you, and as always, leave a comment if you desire!