“ NO MATTER WHAT”

I have a question to ask you. Has the Lord ever asked you to “ Praise Him, no matter what ???”

https://youtu.be/It_xQ4NYtDQ

 

Well, you may say that’s no big deal. But, let me tell you something “ IT IS A BIG DEAL”, especially if you were walking in my shoes a few weeks ago.

 

The Last Days

On a Tuesday, our family had been called to the hospital where our son was in ICU in critical condition due to the china virus. His wife and I had been dressed in hospital gowns, gloves, and masks and allowed to sit outside his ICU door for some time. I headed back down to the chapel area where our family was gathered to let someone else go up for a time.

 

In Every Thing Give Thanks

The Lord began to speak to me, He said, “ you have prayed and prayed through the last weeks. Now, I want you to walk in thanksgiving and praise from this time onward.” My response was “ ok, Lord”, so throughout the afternoon, at bedtime and until I fell asleep, I continued to give Him thanksgiving and praise. Around 2:00 AM, I woke up and was drawn into prayer. There were many precious families who were dealing with the china virus just like we were with our son. I was reminding the Lord of His Holy Word, the many life-giving scriptures that we were holding onto with all our hearts

No Matter What Praise Me

My Father asked me that very difficult question, “ Will you praise Me, NO MATTER WHAT? ? ?” . . . . . Very quickly, I answered, “ NO, LORD, I AM NOT THERE, YET.” That’s too hard a place to be right now . . . I’m holding on to my desire for You to raise my son up from his sickbed. . . To “ Praise You, no matter what “ is too hard a request . . . You are asking me to totally release everything to You and to be happy and at peace with you “NO MATTER WHAT.”

Surrender

The struggle and the wrestling continued for some time. Finally, I ceased wrestling, and I surrendered to my Lord’s question. I responded, “ Yes, Lord, I give up, I will praise You, NO MATTER WHAT “. When I surrendered to Him in this, the inward battle ceased, a thick blanket of Peace enfolded and enveloped me. God”s Peace wrapped me up to carry me through the “ NO MATTER WHAT.”

Peace

I remember the words of Jesus from John 16:33 “In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, in Me, you will have “ PEACE.”

One Day At A Time

The “NO MATTER WHAT” has continued so far from our son’s homegoing to his eternal home in heaven, the funeral to honor and remember how blessed we were, as a family, to have him these 49 yrs and 8 months. Our one day at a time journey is learning to live without that precious ray of sunshine in our lives.

Peace strength and Blessing

Our Father God has constantly been our companion blanketing our hearts with His amazing peace and giving us the strength to face each day. We live expectantly of the blessings of tomorrow when we will see Him face to face, and all our loved ones who have gone before us.

Prayer for You

Now, may the “God of Hope” fill you with all “ joy and peace” believing that you may abound in “Hope” through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

Trusting & resting in the “ Peace of God .“

Tricia Cook

Related reading: Paula Wallace