Since we have meditated belt no #1(fasting) in the previous blog, in this second part of the series ‘how to gird yourself from falling?’, we are going to contemplate on 2nd and 3rd belt -‘Setting the Lord before us & Instant Thanksgiving’

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I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

– Psalm 16:8

Belt no # 2. Setting the Lord before us

Each time we come across this verse we are awestruck by the phenomenal confidence of David on God and his relationship with God.

The other translation asserts the first sentence as ‘I am always aware of the LORD’s presence’. This awareness of David is a key to His successful life & to be certified by God as ‘a man after My own heart’.

Now, how the sense of His presence is beneficial to us?

Well! When we are mindful that God is always with us-

• We give Him the priority and are mindful of His opinion in everything we do
• Our thoughts are always surrounded by Him
• We chat with him in our hearts continually
• We make our ways straight, stay truthful, humble
• We take utmost care to please Him in every step and to guard His presence in our lives 
• We are quick to set the things right when we realize that we have stepped out of His will.

He never forsakes us and always holds us with his righteous right hand as we keep looking at him all the time. No matter what comes our way, God is right there beside us to counsel and His grace is a sure help when we say my foot is slipping.

Belt no # 3. Instant Thanksgiving

I will always thank the LORD; I will never stop praising him.

Psalm34:1

You are very familiar with the term ‘instant coffee’, have you heard of ‘instant Thanksgiving’?

Well, spontaneous Thanksgiving in the heart arises as we are overwhelmed with the goodness of God.

Few examples are:

• When appreciations from the boss, teacher, spouse or anyone exhilarate you, just thank God in that moment in your heart, giving Him all credit by saying He is the reason. 
• When your baskets are full, your fridge is loaded with essentials and your rack stocks with goods, just thank him instantly for providing your needs excessively. 
• When you are amused by the beauty and talents of your kids.
• When you are dazed by the affection, care of your loved one and the favor you receive from strangers considering that not all who live in this world receive love and care. Just thank the Lord for such favour. 

Also, thanksgiving in all circumstances whether good or bad is possible only with the heart of contentedness and not with the murmuring heart. The content heart sees what others don’t have, always compares with the lesser privileged and can be grateful even for the little it owns. ‘Always wanting’ people cannot live happily no matter how much ever they possess and ‘unhappy people’ find really hard to thank for the same!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’.

What does it do?

• As God inhabits the praises of His people, we create an aura for God to dwell wherever we are
• Develops a grateful heart
• We remain humble as we accredit God then and there for his goodness
• Peace of God guards our heart and minds, etc