This series is written by EEW Magazine Founder, Dianna Hobbs. More encouragement is featured on YourDailyCupOfInspiration.com.

Scripture of the Day: “O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?” (Psalm 13:1 NLT)

Dianna Hobbs is the writer of the 28 Days of Gratitude Blog Series.

This is the complaint of David in prayer form as he cried out to God from the depths of despondency. He had grown weary of waiting and felt forgotten—the familiar plight of all Believers at some point.

In verse 2, David agonized, “How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?”

While it is unclear what led to his soul’s unrest, David’s language indicates that he was in the throes of battle, and his rival was winning. It pained him to be on the losing end, so he begged God to intervene and vindicate him.

How long, God?

Have you ever asked this question verbally or internally? How long before You will deliver me, God? How long will I be sick? How long will I remain in despair? How long before my dream will come true? How long before what You promised me will happen? How long before I will see progress in my relationship? My career? My business? My ministry? My finances? My life?

How long, God?

Aside from being exasperated with waiting, David’s accusatory question suggested that God had forgotten him, looked the other way, and hid His face in the time of trouble.

GOD REMEMBERS

In verse 3, David said, “Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.”

If we didn’t already know David was desperate, this is a clear indication. He was so down in the dumps, he thought he would die of despair and be overtaken by his enemy, but neither happened. David died of natural causes at 70 years old after being king for 40 years. Even after passing on, God both remembered and fulfilled His covenant with David and brought the Messiah through his lineage (2 Samuel 7:11-16).

Just as God remembered David, He remembers you. He also remembered Rachel, the barren wife of Jacob, in Genesis 30. Rachel shared a husband with her sister Leah and was despondent because Leah could have children, but she could not. In verse 1, Rachel pleaded with Jacob and said, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”

There’s that complaint again: if this doesn’t change, I am going to die.

Both David and Rachel prove that it is human nature to be overdramatic in tough times. That’s because our complaints and panicked words are rooted in fear, desperation, and worry that things won’t change. We say: I will die; I will fail; I will lose; I will be sick; I will be broke; I will be alone; I will be forsaken.

What kind of language is that? What kind of words are those? Why speak death and curses over your destiny? Why let complaints and toxic tales escape your lips, taint your mind and emotions, and come against your faith?

Thankfully, God is merciful when we are melodramatic. He showed grace to Rachel. Verse 22 says, “Then God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by enabling her to have children.” She gave birth to a son named Joseph. You will give birth to your divine destiny too, so relax. You will not die before you do.

FLIP IT

In today’s featured verse, David started off in a bad place, but then he flipped the switch, and he turned pain into praise and sorrow into a song.

In verses 5-6, David, who had been despondent moments ago, told God, “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”

If David could flip the switch before God flipped things in his favor, so can you. You don’t have to wait for things to be good before you praise God for being good, right? Nothing had changed in David’s circumstances except his attitude.

It’s your turn to flip the switch.

Instead of focusing on the negative, flip it, and turn into a positive. Rather than stressing over what you don’t have, flip it, and express your gratitude for what you do have. Instead of complaining about what’s going wrong, flip it, and rejoice over what’s going right.

Flip that switch. Tell yourself, it’s time to turn off the complaining, and turn on the praise. And do it for the reason David stated: “Because He is good to me.”

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT

This is called the “flip it” exercise, which is similar to our journaling assignment from yesterday. To further strengthen your gratitude muscle, you are going to take 5 perceived negatives, and turn them into positives. What aggravates you? Frustrates you? Upsets you? Makes you want to complain? Feels uncomfortable or unfortunate? Get 5 of those things in your mind, and find a way to flip them into positives.

Here’s how you do it: First, state the thing that is imperfect in the first half of the sentence, then in the second half of the sentence, point out a good thing.

I’ll go first: After my mini stroke and seizures in August, I was left with some blank spots in my memory and challenges with understanding some words, but I thank God that I am still in my right mind, and I have an awesome opportunity to create brand new, joyful memories, and start things fresh.

Got it? It’s your turn. Think of 5 things you can flip, and write them down.

Now, let’s pray.

God, thank You for teaching me that my circumstances don’t have to be perfect in order for me to give You perfect praise. In desperate times, I will declare Psalm 118:17: “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.” In times of need, please help me to offer You praise and not spew out negative complaints. In Jesus’ name, Amen.