PMA or Solid Hope?
Our pastor’s sermon Sunday which keyed in on Ephesians 5:19 “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;” came to mind when one of those moments of doubt and fear hit, as they seem to do when you’re just sailing along…
I’d gotten a phone call that sorta shook me, and immediately the words, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living, just because He lives…” filled my heart, and I instantly felt better.
Then, of course, Satan throws his two cents worth into the mix, “Yeah, that’s right. Talk yourself out of it. It’s all ‘mind over matter’ anyway you know…”
And I began thinking - just what is the difference between PMA (positive mental attitude) and “solid hope” - that is, hope that doesn’t fail?
It’s true, one can talk themselves into and out of despair and hopelessness at times. When I was in high school, I felt “different.” (Didn’t we all, when we were in high school!”) Anyway, I would “deal with it” by talking to myself. I’d say, “Of course you’re different, you’re an artist…” And that would help… for a while. The problem was, I had to keep telling myself that.
However, once I began to hold to the fact that not only was I an “artist” but also a “child of the King” it became “fact” and not just a placebo.
Now, I hold to the words of Scripture and songs. I often sing, (to myself, mind you!) “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand…”
“When He shall come, with trumpet sound, Oh! may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne…”
I’ve noticed, when you know nothing about music (as I don’t) it forces you to be more aware of the words. When you’re dealing with a struggle, or at the highest of peaks, still hold to the words of your favorite worship hymn. It will give you strength for the journey, comfort in the dark, and reassurance in the light.
It’s not just all in your mind!
Betty
I’d gotten a phone call that sorta shook me, and immediately the words, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living, just because He lives…” filled my heart, and I instantly felt better.
Then, of course, Satan throws his two cents worth into the mix, “Yeah, that’s right. Talk yourself out of it. It’s all ‘mind over matter’ anyway you know…”
And I began thinking - just what is the difference between PMA (positive mental attitude) and “solid hope” - that is, hope that doesn’t fail?
It’s true, one can talk themselves into and out of despair and hopelessness at times. When I was in high school, I felt “different.” (Didn’t we all, when we were in high school!”) Anyway, I would “deal with it” by talking to myself. I’d say, “Of course you’re different, you’re an artist…” And that would help… for a while. The problem was, I had to keep telling myself that.
However, once I began to hold to the fact that not only was I an “artist” but also a “child of the King” it became “fact” and not just a placebo.
Now, I hold to the words of Scripture and songs. I often sing, (to myself, mind you!) “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand…”
“When He shall come, with trumpet sound, Oh! may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne…”
I’ve noticed, when you know nothing about music (as I don’t) it forces you to be more aware of the words. When you’re dealing with a struggle, or at the highest of peaks, still hold to the words of your favorite worship hymn. It will give you strength for the journey, comfort in the dark, and reassurance in the light.
It’s not just all in your mind!
Betty
posted by Betty Newman at 2:54 PM
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