Music just soothes and refocuses our mind so well Sunshine! Difficult times come, the difference between a hot mess and a holy calm for me is remembering that My God is bigger than my problem.

Lifting our voice amid difficult times is not always easy, but it is a choice. God already knows your heart, so if you dont feel like praising Him, tell Him, but praise Him anyway. Life is hard. Terms of Service & Privacy Policy. Should We be Praising God During Difficult Times? They will come, but we can rely on God to be our shield and defender. Celebrate God's gift of mercy and grace; God's touch of forgiveness; God's power to lift you out of the slimy pits of life; God's provision to set you on firm footing.

Isaiah 41:10. Fight back with a sacrifice of praise, knowing God is by your side through whatever youre fighting. But the sputtering ceased and I refrained from any more comments. He cares for us and understands our needs and weaknesses. At church we worship publicly and corporately. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. On the day we went to Yellowstone, we arrived with about seventy-eight minutes to spare. Praising the Lord always is how we learn to be still during difficult times. Something about being in Gods presence makes your heart and soul sing for joy and so we sing in Gods House. "The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. I pray you will fill your life with praise to the Lord. There is a special kind of grace that comes when we gather together in Church. When troubles begin to surround you, look for ways to focus your thoughts and actions on praise and thanksgiving. What can you do? . Yes Tiffany God is good and worthy always to be praised. Great post! It was a new song. While God does not need your worship, he delights in it. Parents, what are your children learning from your demeanor in worship? God never wastes any event in our life, He wants to grow us to be more like Christ through every situation we face. Eyes popping. If Id chosen not to worship at that time, the world would have understood. The religion of Christianity dictates that we go to church regularly but if that is where it ends for us weve missed the point. Drop a comment below to let me know. Singing Praises When Life is Hard Helps Us Be Still, A Prayer to Be still and Praise God In Difficult Times. You could describe the relationship like this: If you truly meet God, you will worship; and if you truly worship, others will be drawn to God; and, as you are drawn to God you are compelled to witness for Christ. Im one of those that finds it easier to cling to Jesus when life is hard. God never promised us a comfortable, perfect life, He only promised to be with us through it all. They always help re-center me and remember God. Hes my rock. Believe me. Praise is meant to be heard. Praise is always a choice. The National Park Service has built a boardwalk that encircles the old geyser with benches around one side. Rick has earned a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology in preaching from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Believe me, Ive asked the hard questions, maybe you have too maybe you still are? Me. It is possible to praise the Lord in hardship. When we remember that we can join in with praising God during difficult times! And were all in it for the same reasonto fuel the churchs mission of making disciples. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Old Faithful is the most visited of all the geysers for a simple reason: It is faithful. We have all had those times when life seemed to make an unexpected left turn. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Dont praise Him silently, praise Him openly and verbally. Have you found it to be true? . God never promised us isolation from hardship or challenges. Worship attracts, like a magnet it draws people to Jesus. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Its good to know that our Father invites us to confide in him, to share our feelings honestly in prayer. Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence; They will be (Be Still) singing Your praises all the day long. Jesus stated, "As for Me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to Myself" (John 12:32). So yes, we need a playlist filled with praise and worship songs about fear. Forgive me for losing my first love, that fire that used to burn deep inside me driving me into your presence like a schoolgirl with her first crush. Today, in our 40-day fast to be still, we will look at the blessing of praising God and how it prepares us for and helps us through every season. Order Curriculum, Literature, and Church Supplies, by Rick Ezell on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 6:00 AM. And, he couldn't be silent about it. From this verse we see two profound elements of worship: celebration and proclamation.

Selah. (Psalm 84:4 NASB). He is faithful and true. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! Here are a few practical suggestions on how you can praise God in difficult times. Trust that God is working for your good in all things. Praise God. God never says, Wow, I didnt see that coming, I hope Billy makes it through this.. What I find interesting about this longing is that it came in the midst of trials. We should be motivated to tell others about what we have experienced. So, turn up a worship song and sing along. I will glorify Your Name alone Father. We are supposed to witness something beyond ourselves. 28:16-20). Are you inviting others into the presence of God? Read our disclosure policy for more info. These wholehearted worshipers called the whole world to whole-hearted worship. Historians note that birds were kept in the temple to sing praise to God, to add harmony to the singers as they worshiped. It will live out the Bible for them to see and imitate and put you in the same league as the Bible characters who praised God no matter what. His treatment successfully eradicated the disease from his body. Lets look at seven reasons to praise God, especially when life gets hard. Gerrit Gustafson said it best: "Worship is the goal of evangelism and evangelism is the fruit of worship." Matthew 28:16-20. As I reflected on this verse, I thought, Well, which is it? Thank you for sharing! How do you get that faith in hard times? More than that, we will begin to praise God in all circumstances!!!!! From the steam rising from the opening in the earth, first there was a sputtering of water. When I chose to praise the Lord even in hard times, at least three things happen. Are you on the right side of the word worship? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Thanks for that little ray of Joy spread across the internet this morning Amy! Counter fear and worry praise and worship. Its a sacrifice of our heart giving him our best, even when we dont feel up to it. Worship and grief dont usually go hand-in-hand. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; To view or add a comment, sign in. I would suggest that what we need is power of the worship that attracts people to the Savior. You can do what we did at Yellowstone National Park. So, instead of trying to stay positive in hard times, lets be still and trust God in hard times. 14:24-25). The Israelites were taught from birth about praising God during difficult times. . Amen, sister. I remember sitting in my office when my boss came in. Rick Ezell is the pastor of First Baptist Greer, South Carolina. At one point I stopped him and asked, Wait a minute, are you firing me? He said, No, not firing I asked, am I working here tomorrow? He simply said, No.. More people are won to Christ by feeling God's presence than by all our apologetic argument combined. The prophet Isaiah said, Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. For David knew that the source of his good fortune was none other than God himself. I remember driving home that day thinking what am I going to do? And what happened? Even though we are the Temple of God now, there is still a blessing when you worship in Gods house. When you stop worrying and trying to fix it all on your own, you allow the space for God to step in. As we praise God in difficult times, move our focus from ourselves and onto the one who loves and cares for us.

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. I look to Him for wisdom and guidance, knowing that He is a faithful Father who loves me. This gives us at least a vision of ourselves rejoicing in the future. But, here's the kicker, God doesn't want you to stay there. Believe in Gods great power and might and sing his praises, even when your heart is heavy. However, we should be gazing at God and glancing at our problems. Isnt it amazing to worship online when you cant make it in?!?!? Singing is a powerful way to be still, calm fear, and relieve anxiety. So, feeling desperate for God, I did the only thing I knew to do: I turned on some praise and worship music. The Israelites understood the blessing of being in Gods House. My favorite song right now is Chandler Moore song with All Nations Yahweh. He never changes. I cant sing, but I love to listen to music and sometimes I sing along when no one can hear me! I grieved then, and I still miss him. He sung praise to God "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God" (Psa. He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference, The Preparation of Worship - Ecclesiastes 5. Amazing, wasn't it? I have a wife and three kids at home; we had very little saving, what is going to happen? Just fill in the form below and one of our mentors will get back to you as soon as possible. So, rejoice in the God who loves you so much and give him your praise. It may not seem natural, and you may feel uncomfortable, but go ahead and praise God. Checking it out now! As the time for the eruption got closer, more and more tourists joined our family, setting on the benches or on the boardwalk. The power of praise in times of trouble is that His joy bubbles up inside of you and covers you in peace. Children, like non believers, are watching. Rekindle that fire. We ought to witness the spectacular hand of God. Do you ever wonder what happens when you sing? God is never surprised by the things that come into my life. Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. Id love to pray over you if you make the choice. I let the goodness of who God is soothe me. The Bible teaches over and over again that God would draw seekers to himself through authentic worship by his people. I slumped into the chair and began wrestling with unnamed feelings. Then Jesus came near and said to them, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Ultimately, its the Lord who heals the distressed soul. When youre in the storms of life, under fire from battles on numerous fronts, facing difficult trials, take hope in Gods power. If we are not careful, we can become so centered on the problem, that we forget the problem solver. When one hard thing is conquered, another is just around the corner. They are ordinary Christians willing to step out in faith and join people on their spiritual journey in a compassionate and respectful manner. Behind every support specialist, Bible study editor, graphic designer, and accountant is a Sunday School teacher, kids volunteer, or small group leader. Why does that happen? We're sorry, an error occurred. Being in Gods House was the way they entered into Gods presence. As you review His goodness and provision in the past, you will find new strength to face the problems of today. Why is praising God so important, especially when youre facing great trials in your life? The disciples saw Jesus and worshipped him. When everything is going wrong, I know I can count on Jesus to be steady and sure. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Eventually, I realized the answer was yes and both happened. He was excited. On the day of Pentecost, it was the sound of eternal worship that invaded the upper room. Going through difficult times is simply part of life. Yellowstone is a geological hotbed with hundreds of geysers and hot springs. To only stay on the left side is to disobey. A well-planned playlist with my favorite Hillsong worship songs has been just the thing to help me keep my joy on those kinds of days. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and email notifications to each one by Monday, November 20, 2017.}. amzn_assoc_title = "Top Faith Resources"; Worship didnt erase my grief in the moment, but transformed it into overriding peace. In the beginning the protracted meetings were designed to inspire the believers while impacting the spiritually lost. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The more we praise God and give him this gift, the more well be filled with Gods love to share with others. Be a worshipper, but also be a witness. Help me move from viewing my problems as big and You as small to the exact opposite as I focus on how big my God is. So whats the big deal about going to Church and praising God during difficult times? Evangelism sprang from their worship. Worship is celebration - a celebration to be experienced and a celebration to be shared. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. You don't live on the boardwalk around the old geyser. Few people, if any, are converted to Christ on purely intellectual grounds. As your eyes focus on God, youll find a new perspective on your trials. But we also need to gather as The Church Body and unite in songs about needing God to get through the hard times together. I stared at my phone screen and reread my sister Karols text over and over again. David cited the evangelistic attraction of honest worship. While his words predict his death, it still communicates volumes to us in our worship. Beyond the should do, there are many benefits of praising God, even when youre in the storm. All of us have moments when we feel discouraged by lifes circumstances. Lift up your heart to God and allow him to refresh and renew your spirit. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. We can apply Psalm 84:4 with a simple mantra. When I lift my voice in praise, I am confessing that He is my only true source. This Psalm says we should praise God in song. He was the best man at my wedding, and as our Church of the Highlands began to grow, my dad moved to Birmingham to help us. But let all who take refuge in you be glad;Let them ever sing for you.Spread your protection over them,That those who love your name may rejoice in you. Have there been times when you faced a major struggle and found your heart of praise? I have some go-to songs that are in the back of my mind that are comforting or uplifting or whatever it is that I need. By submitting, I accept The Lifes Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Acts 2:1-41. . When I praise God during difficult times, my focus moves away from me and moves to God. Do you see what God says about hard times here? amzn_assoc_asins = "B08TMDPDFS,B082RCQLKQ,0310351804,B07FZ8S74R"; We are to abound with thanksgiving, giving thanks unto His name. Isaiah 6:1-8. Just as there is a vertical dimension to worship, there is, also, a horizontal dimension. When we face difficult times, how are we to respond? After all, death and sickness are known to take people out for a little while. ", A little boy replied to his sister, "I can't wait to tell Johnny when we get back home. Sparks from the fire of our worship ignites dry hearts causing them to sing a new song and seek to praise God. For more information, see ourPrivacy Policy. (You can stand on the other side, but when the geyser erupts you will get a shower.) Allow God to work his wonders through your testimony of praise through the storm. If you enjoyed this article you will love these: amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Such an insightful interpretation of the scripture. Give the glory to God and praise his power and faithfulness. Reminder: You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. When life is hard, its easy to focus in on all the problems youre facing. Oh I love that song! With a sense of reverence people returned to their cars or the gift shop knowing they had witnessed something spectacular. Do you ever wonder what happens when you sing? Enter to WIN a copy of The Daniel Dilemma by Chris Hodges. Your focus is on the issues in your life, not on the blessings. All Rights Reserved. Next up: Praying God's Promises: The Why and How Behind the Practice. As you praise Him, ask what you can learn this experience. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (NIV). Will you decide today to begin Praising God during difficult times? To paraphrase Booth: If believers experience the fire of God's worship then lost people would be drawn to God like a moth to the flames. Find a good seat each week to meet God in worship. A moment later came the sputtering again, turning into a fountain of hot water streaming toward the heavens a hundred feet high. Would you like to discuss anything in particular? Will You Begin Praising God During Difficult Times? This allows him to focus on God his Savior, the One who will bring deliverance and victory. Its one thing to read a few Bible verses about faith in hard times and say to yourself you will lean in and not run but its another thing to live it out. In one sense, its a choice, not a feeling. I pray that in the difficult time of life you will lift your voice in praise. Read our. Rick is a consultant, conference leader, communicator, and coach. Where is God when it really hurts? 2017 by Chris Hodges. I felt His power strengthen me. We observe in Psalm 84 a turn from longing to praise God to a note of what we are to praise.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. One of our first stops in the scenic wilderness was the geyser known affectionately as Old Faithful. He promised never to leave or abandon his children, so we can count on his presence, even when our emotions cant confirm it. Who will go for Us? If he had not entered into worship he could have missed the calling of God upon his life. If you are the temple of God, that same joy you get when praising God in Church can come while praising God anywhere. It is reflected in two ways: People far from God are drawn to Christ through worship and people close to God are compelled to share Christ after worship. God want us to worship, but he also wants us to witness. - Luke 10:27. God promises us peace that surpasses all understanding in Philippians 4:7: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. But before we get that promise, we have some instruction. Tiffany of Hope Joy in Christ inspires Christian Women to grow in faith, live out Biblical Marriage Principles and raise Godly Children. Unbelievers were drawn to Christ through their worship and, in turn, their worship compelled them to tell others about him. Even in difficult times, we can choose to praise God. But Id learned to practice worshipping God no matter what the circumstances. The fear that lurked in the back of my mind now fully surfaced and became reality: My father had cancer. I'm glad you're here to journey with me! There is so much going on around us all the time. He not only cares but promises to strengthen and help us. As the song says, the things of this earth will grow strongly dim. She had accompanied Dad to his doctors appointment and promised to let me know how it went. He turns the light on where once there was only darkness. Copyright 2018 Hope Joy in Christ Theme by.

David wrote, "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. It always brings me comfort. That awesome and beautiful sound, not unlike the sound of Old Faithful, was heard by God-fearing Jews from every nation who thought these early disciples were drunk. What if they see scowls? You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. Of course, there are times when this may seem too difficult, but even whispering a prayer of praise can usher in a sense of liberty and peace. Its one thing to sing along and repeat the verses when life is good, but it can be quite another to turn your heart to praise when the storms surround. Our light affliction will be over soon. People were drawn to the exuberance of the worship, the authenticity of the people, and the power of the preacher. But they were "speaking the magnificent acts of God" (Acts 2:11). Our loved ones may try to lighten our load or lift our spirits, but unfortunately, their efforts can fall short. Praising God in the hard times doesnt minimize or deny heaviness of heart. ", Still another said, "Can we watch it again?". True joy and peace dont originate with us, but come to us as the gifts and fruit of Gods grace. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. He was deeply intertwined in every aspect of my life, and I couldnt imagine any of it without him. They are watching. Worship always includes witness. 57:9). How will we make it? It is beautiful really to see the example they set for us. Teach me to Be Still in that truth today. It was as though he were seeing God again for the first time. As David praised God many saw it. I sensed His presence as He comforted me. And, in turn the same security that David found in God, they, too would find that security and join David in worship. God will fight for you, when you place your full trust in him. Blessed Birds. This post may contain affiliate links. What some old-timers will say is: "We need to have revivals again." As strange as it may sound, learning to praise God during our difficult times can give us peace, hope and invites God right into the situation we are facing. I will praise you more and more. Whether I understand everything or not, with an answer or without one, I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth (Psalm 34:1).. Beyond the should do, praise is one of your greatest gifts to God and one of your greatest weapons against your enemies. Period. David had experienced the presence of God. 6:1, 5, 8). The psalmist in Psalm 42 questions the reason for his despair; then he instructs himself to hope in God. When we praise God in difficult times, we gain new hope as we remember that God is in control and is working for my good. The did not merely hear his praise, they saw him praising. Now this doesnt mean that those problems will suddenly disappear or that it will be smooth sailing from here on out, but it does mean that my face will brighten again and the weight of the burden will lessen. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Each time one is amazed and entranced. As he began talking about the organization and what changes were coming, I became more and more concerned. Can you relate? Read Through the Bible This Year with CSB Every Day with Jesus Daily Bible. When you turn your heart to praising God, though, those problems begin to shrink. You never leave me or forsake me in hard times. The righteous will rejoice in the LordAnd take refuge in him;All the upright in heart will glory in him! Allow God to teach you as you walk through the situation. We ask for gender and age to assign you the appropriate mentor. Presently, one can count on Old Faithful erupting every eighty minutes. Those birds lived in the temple, nested and raised chicks in the temple. One fact stands out to me: those early Christians evangelized almost "by accident." Invite people to join you at worship. That's the arrow on the left side of worship. Youve heard the songs, the sermons, the Bible verses, and the coffee mug quotes about praising God through the storm. The world sits up and takes notice.

When youve had a bad day that leads into a bad night; when everyone is sick and the youngest spikes a 102 temp, sending you to the urgent care all night, you can still praise God. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. This post may contain affiliate links. Worshipers don't just enjoy God's wonderful presence for yourselves. He had come in unexpectedly, late in the day and was now sitting in my office across my desk. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. When the trials of this life leave you worn out and weary, singing Gods praises will fill your heart with joy. Just as one experiences God, they want to tell others about him. We don't worship just at church, because worship ought to be the constant attitude and activity of our lives as dedicated believers. Daniel 6:10, Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.