By Joanie Yoder, Our Daily Bread Writer

PHOTO: Psalm 143:4-12
my heart within me is dismayed.
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you;
my soul for you like a parched land. Selah
Answer me quickly, O Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my life.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
Bible teacher Selwyn Hughes says that God has placed within us three main functions: the will, the feelings, and the thoughts. Our will, he says, has little or no power over our feelings. You can't say, "I am going to feel different" and then accomplish it by sheer willpower. What the feelings do respond to are the thoughts. Quoting another source, Hughes says: "Our feelings follow our thoughts like baby ducks follow their mother." So how can we make our thoughts the leader of our feelings?
David showed us the way in Psalm 143. Feeling overwhelmed and distressed (Psalm 143:4), he took time to think about the Lord (Psalm 143:5). He remembered God's lovingkindness, trustworthiness, and guidance (Psalm 143:8). His protection and goodness (Psalm 143:9-10). His righteousness and unfailing love (Psalm 143:11-12). Once David got going, his feelings began to follow his thoughts.
Name your own blessings daily, contemplate (examine) them thoroughly; speak about them to God and to others. Gradually your concern about feelings will diminish, and you'll be praising God with joy.
- Joanie Yoder
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOPVQGNAJTtFVrfhWsL-_ilBxVhsLfXcWkrIi_1UAMtpWDwE2AOOVFjru3aSGrAWNGmV9VdD-VS3HSRKAgRMWfskcf-7I_hj7_F31y7ImjeNmEl6FtFt_-eDKfgjL66bLdsuvJf8GTQOLW2hTk6unQ8-wUyS7n1i_4pPtft2C8XOSibPYVwQLRlRkkO4/s1465/6f29de2f3ba4bfc8acf1d4e4b5eda2b9_1.png
https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/6f/29/de/6f29de2f3ba4bfc8acf1d4e4b5eda2b9.jpg
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/276760339595553074/
my heart within me is dismayed.
I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
I spread out my hands to you;
my soul for you like a parched land. Selah
Answer me quickly, O Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my life.
Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.
For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.

PHOTO: Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Picture posted by Jan
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbPRGlMa2jTBSyiYhNJJdECE_D3RxtPnJlAAw30NN_MxibkUrZhdR9BIfI4_Vfk0CnC00gnXMIBKIS1fpMxJxGozZKjLYewi3YIyIPVuFfKVDm9YFILOS7gZe4ui2frd9wq8JQmMGqe2bcxqy-VtKMXWxI-0zO1G8F1U3phVBKIjsJ5ujYcCsTTfg1Hs/s1200/fca02481ecf7e1e68bebc7a8afefd91a_1.png
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fc/a0/24/fca02481ecf7e1e68bebc7a8afefd91a.jpg
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/215750638393384097/

PHOTO: Most of us long to praise God more joyfully than we do. One common hindrance is that no matter how hard we try, we often don't feel like praising Him.
Picture posted by Hơ Y Lang - Hơ Y Lang
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https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/78/bf/56/78bf562c21c70e513a4ccf19cb584427.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/349099408636872030/
Bible teacher Selwyn Hughes says that God has placed within us three main functions: the will, the feelings, and the thoughts. Our will, he says, has little or no power over our feelings. You can't say, "I am going to feel different" and then accomplish it by sheer willpower. What the feelings do respond to are the thoughts. Quoting another source, Hughes says: "Our feelings follow our thoughts like baby ducks follow their mother." So how can we make our thoughts the leader of our feelings?

PHOTO: Bible teacher Selwyn Hughes says that God has placed within us three main functions: the will, the feelings, and the thoughts. Our will, he says, has little or no power over our feelings. You can't say, "I am going to feel different" and then accomplish it by sheer willpower. What the feelings do respond to are the thoughts. Quoting another source, Hughes says: "Our feelings follow our thoughts like baby ducks follow their mother." So how can we make our thoughts the leader of our feelings?
Picture posted by Beauty with Health
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F0W292kZUa82le_b3pgW3XSdDj_lOahYfo_ZDuOC1YHduwvx2herBQAdG11etqB9_EOjAIfgGud9y1cWyyBqYrs_l69pgcQTOcnxxDmWf7DP7y2rMUJr9q_EAv6Dk4TQM83I1Qq8F1BrQvaFHaRHrSKJUvjS-Mrvmd8pXB8EQdUbRD9AC0vQl1hQjpc/s1344/18e4a62807d7ff1815fcd5a753e443ea_1.png
https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/18/e4/a6/18e4a62807d7ff1815fcd5a753e443ea.jpg
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/289848926040897450/
David showed us the way in Psalm 143. Feeling overwhelmed and distressed (Psalm 143:4), he took time to think about the Lord (Psalm 143:5). He remembered God's lovingkindness, trustworthiness, and guidance (Psalm 143:8). His protection and goodness (Psalm 143:9-10). His righteousness and unfailing love (Psalm 143:11-12). Once David got going, his feelings began to follow his thoughts.

PHOTO: David showed us the way in Psalm 143. Feeling overwhelmed and distressed (Psalm 143:4), he took time to think about the Lord (Psalm 143:5). He remembered God's lovingkindness, trustworthiness, and guidance (Psalm 143:8). His protection and goodness (Psalm 143:9-10). His righteousness and unfailing love (Psalm 143:11-12). Once David got going, his feelings began to follow his thoughts.
Pictue posted by Etsy
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMZl_upkX4-PgSJU7tgJNtPAodOXUvmtU11coUOqa3EOhDursE7o_NZmVIdgw-tm2jepIopdBLVbo1AIdeJKlvpoGHIkRz9l6-gXdyhkl1wUt-AEcIWmQJsHLhhcJmOq1apycO0VI__eZbj9-1DZ5VQoKSkv9nJwflyy8dCqgEKRUzEaz04LNcPFJkIw/s1472/4ff872256aecabcc339057f7dbec0b9a_1.png
https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/4f/f8/72/4ff872256aecabcc339057f7dbec0b9a.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4596979050319712256/
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2025/10/reflection-psalm-101-integrity-101.html
Name your own blessings daily, contemplate (examine) them thoroughly; speak about them to God and to others. Gradually your concern about feelings will diminish, and you'll be praising God with joy.
- Joanie Yoder

PHOTO: Name your own blessings daily, contemplate (examine) them thoroughly; speak about them to God and to others. Gradually your concern about feelings will diminish, and you'll be praising God with joy.
Picture posted by Herman Osman
https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/62/0a/6a/620a6af57904cc0ba1071414fcf2536d.jpg
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/179440366399791908/

PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we pray that we name our own blessings daily, contemplate them thoroughly; speak about them to God and to others. Gradually, may our concern about feelings diminish, and we'll be praising God with joy.
Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen."
Picture posted by Black Dragon
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XfpGp7410_FzjJgtdBrK-xF0DZ7ZtLYhjFuiK5ytq1hvfZQArEPdiOX77fR_6eV81aVZqDFkUClxsf3iVnn5ONK3NzFtyUtHc_cTKudyB_DBbBfm2C15Oeozxb49nUM6FwA9644vB8T5ztg5bZVgYq7OaMrwK9ifW_7nA4Bb2OTEf1arpxZE2cT1xd8/s1600/1d03bd8bb6eb8910f877f29a0eb88f92_11.png
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/8796161769557742/
Reflection - Psalm 143:4-12 - Thoughtful Praise
Source (book): "My Soul Thirsts For God", Reflections on the Psalms from Our Daily Bread, Psalm 143:4-12, "Thoughtful Praise", Page 180.
By Joanie Yoder, Our Daily Bread Writer

Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html
"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html
"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
"Teach Us to Number Our Days", © 2008 by David Roper

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 1 - 40 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 16 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-1-40.html

Reflection - Number Our Days, Chapter 41 - 64 (Links), posted on Wednesday, 16 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflection-number-our-days-chapter-41.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/08/reflection-he-walks-with-me-links.html
"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 1 - 45 (Links), posted on 03 April 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/04/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-1-45.html
"Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries

Reflection - Classic Gem, Chapter 46 - 90 (Links), posted on Tuesday, 24 October 2023
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2023/10/reflection-classic-gem-chapter-46-90.html
"Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Copyright @ 2022 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Making All Things New, Chapter 1 - 28 (Links), posted on Saturday, 04 August 2024
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2024/08/reflection-making-all-things-new.html
"Making All Things New", 52 Reflections to Challenge the Way You Live, Copyright @ 2022 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Making All Things New, Chapter 29 - 52 (Links), posted on Saturday, 15 March 2025
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2025/03/reflection-making-all-things-new.html

Reflection - My Soul Thirsts For God, Verse 1 - 46 (Links) on Monday, 25 August 2025
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2025/08/reflection-my-soul-thirsts-for-god.html
New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Psalm 143 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20143&version=NIV
Psalm 143:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20143%3A4&version=NIV
Psalm 143:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20143%3A5&version=NIV
Psalm 143:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20143%3A8&version=NIV
Psalm 143:9-10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20143%3A9-10&version=NIV
Psalm 143:11-12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20143%3A11-12&version=NIV
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