Life can be tough sometimes, can’t it? We all have those days when put-downs at work, simple mistakes, bad weather, too much to do, not enough to do, loneliness, worry and all kinds of other niggles can really wear us down. And then there are the bigger things – loss, illness, conflict, separation…

This is why I have been really encouraged by this song, 10 000 Reasons, by Matt Redman. Listen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM

The song is all about praising God for his goodness every day, and some of the words are taken from Psalms in the Bible. It’s not that life is always easy, but that God is always good – and we can find reminders of this every day. A text from a friend, a moment of laughter, a beautiful view… There are thousands of good things even in the darkest of times!

It’s not that we deny how we really feel or pretend we’re fine when we’re not – many other Psalms are rants at God, telling him of the writer’s despair, questioning why he lets things happen, asking him to drag the writer out of the ‘pit’ of pain they find themselves in. But it’s acknowledging that alongside the pain we experience, we can also find glimpses of goodness and hope, and we can celebrate these even when we are struggling.

Here are the lyrics of the verses in the song:

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes…

You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

I found a few ‘reasons’ of my own to praise God in my photo album…