Blessed be the name of the Lord

I heard the song "Blessed be Your Name" by Matt Redman last night and it set me to thinking.  I love the parallels that this song makes.  It really made me realize how easy it is for me to praise God when it seems like things are going in a way that I perceive is good.  But when something that I perceive is"bad" happens, the easiness of praising God goes right out the window and the "Why God mentality" sets in very quickly.  I think it happens so easily because many times we associate praise and blessing with being happy ,singing a song, with a smile on our face. I'm not saying that praise and blessing can't be that but I think when we have the mindset that that is what it is we miss out on so much.  Praising and blessing God should be a daily lifestyle.  If we get to where we are in that attitude daily and hourly it will be a lot harder to slip out of when difficult circumstances come our way.  I think that living a life of praise and blessing in every day life is what enabled Job to say this in Job 1:21 after he received the news that his ten children had died: "And he said, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."  Job wasn't jumping up and down, dancing and singing this.  He had just torn his robe and shaved his head.  He wasn't able to comprehend why God had allowed this to happen nor would he be able to comprehend any of the other things that would happen to him.  He did see and know that God was still in control no matter what the circumstance and he was able to acknowledge and praise God for that.  I pray that God will enable me to act this out in my own life better than I do.  It isn't by any means an easy thing to do but, I CAN do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWKehsOXu8