What happens when we praise God in difficult times. When my manager came in, I was sitting in my office. He had arrived unexpectedly late in the day and was now sitting across my desk in my office. I became increasingly concerned as he discussed the organization and the upcoming changes. “Wait a minute, are you firing me?” I asked him at one point. “No, not firing,” he said. “I inquired, ‘Will I be working here tomorrow?'” “No,” he said that.
I remember thinking to myself as I drove home that day, “What am I going to do?” I have a wife and three children at home; we had very little savings; what will happen? How will we get there?
We have all had those difficult times when life seemed to make an unexpected left turn. Suddenly, we are on a detour down a dark and dangerous path. We may have lost a job, lost a spouse, or our health. Whatever the reason we now face an uncertain future, and fear of tomorrow.
When we face difficult times, how are we to respond?
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.
Praise is Always a Choice
The Psalmist said,
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. – Psalm 34:1
Praise is always an option. Even in difficult times, we have the choose to praise God. I have the choice of allowing fear and worry to rule my heart and mind, or I can praise the God in difficult times and confess that He is in control.
It is not always easy to praise God in difficult times, but we have a choice. At least three things happen when I choose to praise the God even in difficult times.
1. Praise moves my focus from myself to God
Going through difficult times is unavoidable in life. God never promised us freedom from adversity or difficulty. It’s easy to become completely focused on myself and my problems during those times. We can become so focused on the problem that we forget about the problem solver if we are not careful.
The Psalmist said,
Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God. – Psalm 42:11
When I praise God in difficult times, my focus shifts away from myself and toward God. Many years ago, I heard a preacher say that we often look at our problems rather than at God. However, we should be looking at God rather than at our problems.
When we praise God in difficult times, we should shift our focus away from ourselves and toward the one who loves and cares for us.
Read more: How to encourage others in the Lord
2. Praise Reminds Us that God is in control.
When I praise God in the midst of difficulty times, I am reminded that God is still in control. God is never surprised by what happens in my life. “Wow, I didn’t see that coming, I hope Daniel makes it through this,” God never says.
Jesus said in Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. – Matthew 10:29-31 (NASB)
When we praise God in difficult times, we are reminded that our Heavenly Father is not only aware of our situation but is in complete control. He not only cares but promises to strengthen and help us. The prophet Isaiah said,
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10
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.
3. Praise is a Confession of My Dependence on God
When I praise God in difficult times or circumstances, I am admitting my reliance on Him. When I praise Him, I am confessing that He is my only true source. I look to Him for wisdom and direction, knowing that He is a loving Father who is faithful.
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4
As I praise God in difficult times, I remind myself that my only hope is in Him. I confess to God and myself that I am completely dependent on God as my provision and help.
Here are a few practical suggestions on how you can praise God in difficult times.
Practical Application
It may not seem natural, and you may feel uneasy, but praise God anyway. Don’t lie; instead, be truthful. God already knows your heart, so tell Him if you don’t feel like praising Him, but praise Him anyway.
- Express your thanks verbally. Praise should be heard. Praise Him openly and verbally rather than silently. Hearing our own voices praise and worship the Lord has a powerful effect.
- Use fear and worry to determine when it is appropriate to praise the Lord. When worry and fear rear their ugly heads, use them to remind you to praise the Lord. Praise and worship can be used to overcome fear and worry.
- Allow God to teach you as you go through the experience. God never wastes an event in our lives; He wants to shape us into more like Christ through every experience we have. While you praise Him, consider what you can learn from this experience.
- Examine and thank God for his past work in your life. Reviewing God’s faithfulness in the past is part of praise. You will find new strength to face today’s problems as you reflect on His goodness and provision in the past.
Praise God in difficult times verses
Here are five Praise God in difficult times verses that will lift your Spirit
1) Psalm 34:1-4 (NIV)
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
2) Isaiah 57:15 (NIV)
For this is what the high and exalted One says –
He who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
But also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
To revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.”
3) Acts 16:25-26 (NIV)
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
4) Psalm 35:28 (NIV)
My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
5) Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
I pray that you will spend your life praising the Lord. I pray that even in your darkest hour, you will lift your voice in praise.
Have there been times when you faced a major struggle and found your heart of praise? I’d love to hear your story, share it in the comments section below.