A Garment of Praise for Heaviness

There is a heaviness that is upon the earth currently. Wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters and all manner of injustices. Mentally it takes a toll on not only us as creatives but also the congregations we are leading.

Can I encourage you today?

Isaiah 61:3 says:

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.”

Even in these times the Lord is with us. To bring comfort, peace and joy to our hearts. To give us hope where we feel hopeless and to empower us to become the solutions the world needs.

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

The Lord can use us to aid the congregation in this, but we must:

1. Allow Him to do that work within us first.

We must find ourselves at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to minister to us, heal our hearts and give us hope.

We cannot pour out what we have not first allowed God to pour into us.

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3–4

2. We cannot lean on our own understanding.

We cannot lean on our own understanding to build set lists or lead in spontaneous moments. We must be led by the Spirit of God.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:5–6

So as you prepare to lead this week, I encourage you to partner with the Holy Spirit and allow the Lord to use you so He can give a garment of praise for our heaviness.

❤️ Nataki