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Praising God in Hard Times

The document discusses how praising God is possible even during hard times. It notes that the Psalms encourage putting hope in God and praising Him more. While emotions may not confirm God's presence, focusing on who He is - as faithful, merciful and good - can redirect thoughts. The document asserts that praising God does not deny suffering, but choosing to praise Him can lessen burdens and bring joy. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit empowers praise by turning darkness to light and meeting people in their brokenness.

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CHRISTIAN JASON PAHATI
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93 views2 pages

Praising God in Hard Times

The document discusses how praising God is possible even during hard times. It notes that the Psalms encourage putting hope in God and praising Him more. While emotions may not confirm God's presence, focusing on who He is - as faithful, merciful and good - can redirect thoughts. The document asserts that praising God does not deny suffering, but choosing to praise Him can lessen burdens and bring joy. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit empowers praise by turning darkness to light and meeting people in their brokenness.

Uploaded by

CHRISTIAN JASON PAHATI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PRAISING GOD IN HARD TIMES: PRAISE IS POSSIBLE

All of us have moments when we feel discouraged by life’s circumstances. Our loved ones may try to lighten
our load or lift our spirits, but unfortunately, their efforts can fall short. We wonder if we will ever emerge
from today’s trying situation with our joy intact.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for  I will yet
praise  him, my Savior and my God. —Psalm 42:11 (NIV)

But I will  keep on hoping  for your help; I will praise you  more and more. —Psalm 71:14 (NLT)

It’s good to know that our Father invites us to confide in him, to share our feelings honestly in prayer. He
cares for us and understands our needs and weaknesses. We can draw near to him by singing psalms or
hymns, or reflecting on his goodness and speaking well of him. 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.

KEEP ON PRAISING, KEEP ON HOPING

The psalmist in Psalm 42 questions the reason for his despair; then he instructs himself to hope in God. The
expression, “I will still praise him” signifies an inner determination and a forward-facing outlook. He
persistently, continually, and repeatedly praises the Lord. This allows him to focus on God his Savior, the One
who will bring deliverance and victory. To have hope in God is to wait expectantly for him. Since he is faithful
to help, we can know that we will praise him again. This gives us at least a vision of ourselves rejoicing in the
future.

Praising God in the hard times doesn’t minimize or deny heaviness of heart. Instead, it redirects our focus on
who God is. He never changes. He promised never to leave or abandon his children, so we can count on his
presence, even when our emotions can’t confirm it. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).

PRAISE IS POSSIBLE

There have been times when I’ve thought, “I’ll never be encouraged.” Yet as soon as I begin to remind
myself of His mercy and goodness, the clouds disperse. Now this doesn’t 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. I’ll be able to experience the joy of the Lord in the
midst of life’s storms and challenges.

It is possible to praise the Lord in hardship. In one sense, it’s a choice, not a feeling. It becomes a kind of
personal battle cry. Even when our run has slowed to a crawl and our shout has died down to a whimper —
we can wait on our good Father with fierce expectation. He is faithful and true. If we can’t praise him for our
circumstances, we can praise him in spite of them.

Ultimately, it’s the Lord who heals the distressed soul. The Holy Spirit causes our hearts to overflow with
hope. He turns the light on where once there was only darkness. There is power in the flow of the Spirit!
Knowing he’ll meet us when we are most broken is the beautiful reality of living the abundant life.
PRAY AND REAFFIRM

When we think of praise, it may help to note that this includes thanksgiving, speaking well of
God, confessing faith, and a vast array of adoring expressions. I think the enemy knows that as
long as we wait for everything to line up before we praise the Lord, we’ll stay stuck a lot longer
than we need to. We can sti ll praise him because he’s worthy. We can sti ll praise him for the
Cross and the Resurrecti on.

True joy and peace don’t originate with us, but come to us as the gift s and fruit of God’s grace.
May we always pour out our hurti ng hearts to him in prayer, and then reaffi rm: “I’m  sti ll going
to praise him. I have hope, he is faithful to help, and he is my God! Whether I understand
everything or not, with an answer or without one, ‘I will bless the Lord at all ti mes — his praise
shall conti nually be in my mouth’ (Psalm 34:1).”

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