When you look back at your life there are two perspectives to choose from. Either you sought to be self-sufficient as you made a way through life’s challenges, or you let God lead you through circumstances you could never take credit for.

For me, I probably would have been wild as a buck if I had attended a secular university or college at the immature age of 18.

I ended up in a small bible college in South Carolina. While embracing a new world view, I befriended a guy named Joe. He got me interested in jogging. We became lifelong friends.

One afternoon, I decided to go running after a long day of classes. Joe wasn’t available, so I ran with some upperclassmen. While jogging, one of them said:

“To break the monotony, why doesn’t each of us, one at a time, call out a letter from the alphabet and state a corresponding attribute of God.”

I initially thought it was a weird idea, but it proved to be a practical way to praise God, instead of focusing on the miles ahead. A lot of us hope we have miles of life ahead of us. During the journey, we can focus on our circumstances or God.

Fast forward to the present. Walking suits my knees better. With instrumental music playing in my AirPods, I walk our entire neighborhood. I sometimes go through each letter of the alphabet and think of God’s characteristics. It gets my mind off me. Here is an example:

Alpha. God, you’re the beginning and the end. (Revelation 1:8a)

Bountiful. You have unlimited resources. (Psalm 50: 10b)

Compassionate. God, I praise You for showing compassion to me. (Psalm 147:3)

Do. God, You always do the right thing. (Isaiah 26:7)

El-Shaddai. God, You are all-sufficient, unlike me. (Colossians 2:9)

Forgiving. I thank you for forgiving my sins, if I confess them. (I John 1:9, NLT)

Gracious. You are the God of second chances. (2 Peter 3:9)

Holy. You are holy, requiring holiness. Continue to change me. (I Peter 1:15-16)

Infinite. You are infinite, without origin. (Colossians 1:17)

Jehovah Jireh. You are the God who provides. (Genesis 22:14)

Kind. You are forever kind. (Psalm 116: 5a)

Listen. You bend down and listen to my prayers. (Psalm 116:2)

Mercy. God, thank-you for showing mercy to me. (Lamentations 3:22b)

New. Your mercies, are brand-new every morning. (Lamentations 3:23)

Omnipotent. You are all powerful. (Luke 1:37)

Promises. You keep Your promises. (Joshua 21:45)

Quota. I don’t have to meet a quota to earn Your love. (Ephesians 2:8)

Remove. I praise You for removing my sins and kissing my heart with forgiveness. (Psalm 103:12)

Stay. You do not change. (Hebrews 13:8)

Time. You aren’t a slave to time. Help me wait on You. (Psalm 27:14)

Unconditional. You love every human being, even while they are in the sinning state. (Romans 5:8)

Vengeance. God, I place in Your hands the people who have wronged me. Vengeance is yours not mine. (Deuteronomy 32:35)

Wise. You are omniscient, knowing everything. (Proverbs 2:6)

Xristos. You are Xristos (the Christ) I praise you for putting skin on and coming down here. (John 1:14)

Yield. Holy Spirit help me to yield to You and Your plan. (Romans 8:28)

Zealous. You are a passionate and jealous God, not willing for Your praise to be shared with idols (Isaiah 59:17)

During these uncertain times, why not get your mind off yourself and our unstable world and praise the living God?

pictures courtesy of “Nelson & his Nikon”

Click video below for a look at nature while Michael W. Smith plays instrumental music and reads scripture.