Praising God in Hard Times
“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)
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 42:11, KJV)
All of us have moments when we feel discouraged by life’s circumstances. Sometimes our loved ones’ efforts to lighten our load or lift our spirits fall short, and we wonder if we will ever emerge from today’s trying situation with our joy intact.
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. His comforting words, “Be of good cheer,” can mean more to a hurting heart than anything else in the world.
These verses remind us that we can also encouraging ourselves to hope in God, and continue to praise Him, no matter how bleak our outlook may be. We can do this by singing psalms or hymns, or reflecting on His goodness and speaking well of Him. Of course, there are times when even this seems too difficult, but just whispering a praise can usher in a sense of liberty and peace.
There have been times when I thought, “I’ll never be cheered up.” Yet as soon as I began to remind myself of His mercy and goodness, the clouds would begin to disperse. Of course, this doesn’t mean that all of our problems will receive a quick fix or that it will be smooth sailing from here on out, but it does mean that our faces will brighten, the weight of the burden will lessen. We will be free to experience the joy of the Lord in the midst of life’s storms and challenges.
Father, at times it seems as if nothing can cheer me up. Yet I am reminded to hope in You and continue to give You praise, because You are my God. I look to You today for Your holy joy, for Your peace that passes all human understanding, and because You are the health and the help of my sad expression. Encourage me through Your Holy Spirit, Amen.
Questions: What are some things that discourage you? Remind yourself to hope in God. Can you offer praise to Him in spite of your situation, and trust Him to bring you out of this dark place?
Tags: circumstances, Devotional, discouragement, Ebony Murdoch, hard times, peace, Praise God, Women
17 Responses to “Praising God in Hard Times”
Leave a Reply
Start a Conversation
Media
What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
>Watch
- Contact
- |
- Advertising
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Link to Us
- |
- Media Releases
- |
- What we believe
So sorry to hear that you have lost your baby but wonderful that God has encouraged you just the same.He is faithful even in our darkest moments. We do have online mentors who would love to pray for you and walk alongside of you. Just fill out the form on this page and one of our mentors will email you.http://powertochange.com/discover/need-prayer/
God richly bless you for this.My wife and I received a bad report from our doctorthat we have lost it(we are expecting the fruit of the womb).But this information has revived my spirit and I can’t wait to go home to sing praises to God with my wife.He alone knows what is best for us.Times are hard but I am encouraged that true PEACE and JOY comes from GOD.Thanks once again and please remember us in your prayers.
dear hayley– awww tough, God comfort her at this time of loss let her feel your comfort around her and let her feel your loving arms around her. it is hard to go through a break up may you feel God’s comfort at this time. i am praying for you.
I got dumped today by my best friend. God told us both to break up with the other but I was stubborn and my wonderful ex/friend wasn’t and he obeyed.I am now splurging on key lime pie and watching a not so funny comedy. My eyes are swolen from tears and I feel like someone has died but I find myself seeking piece from God and understanding. The oddest thing was thought that as I walked away from my greatly adored and very much loved ex I found myself whispering a silent thank you to God. I don’t know why…but I felt he deserved it…I just wish I didn’t hurt so bad.
I get most discouraged when I become self-focused, and it is so important for me to be grateful for the people the Lord has place in my life. Today, I can find encouragement in the loved ones Jesus has given me, and in the Truth that He is my First Love; knowing that He is always with me and I never have to go anywhere or do anything without the knowledge that He is always holding me in the palm of His hand makes me smile. Praise be to You, Jesus, the Saviour and Soother of my Soul!
“Hard times” aptly describes today’s cultural and economic climate. We need daily doses of His assuring Word to keep us emotionally and spiritually healthy. Your article was a welcomed mouthful.
Lord I pray for Denise’s son. Thanks that You are with him even when he is in jail. Thanks that You have been leading him to a better path for his life. Thanks that You are Denise’s peace in the middle of difficult times. Complete all of this for your glory. Amen.
Thank you for this today. My son sits in a jail at this moment. My spirit is both perplexed and at peace. Perplexed because is getting his life together but forgot to re-schedule a missed court date. At peace because I know God is with my son right now, where he is, right now. May God’s will be manifested in my son’s life and glory be given to God.
Praising God in difficult times can seem impossible to do but it is in those times that we need to rely and depend totally on Christ! This article has reminded me that when I feel down and out about my circumstance to give GOD praise anyway. I mean just think about it, just when you think your situation is bad another person tells you about their suffering and it is ten times worse. I know that when you are in the storm, it seems that no one else understands but thank GOD for his listening ear! I am grateful just to know that HE is near. I will continuously confide in HIM! Thanks for those encouraging words!
These words of encouragement are very important in times like these. People need to remember who we are in Christ. The Word of God is not some lever we pull in case of emergencies only. Praise and worship ought to be a 24/7 life style. Sunday “go to meeting” Christians have built in knee pads when they are being watched, but have sharp creases in their “Monday go to work” outfits. Let’s get serious about trusting in God and put on our “all weather” spiritual anti-missile defense armored suits. I know some Christians so old that they are fading away in the pews and at the first sign of a tragedy, they sing …help me I am falling and I can’t get up! What a shame!
What a timely topic, “Praising God in Hard Times”! I have a friend who at age 79 is still very critical, as his life has been very difficult from childhood on. He was mistreated at the orphanage, suffered in a concentration camp, and joined the army because he had to (for survival). He was forced to attend a church because the university he chose was church owned. Now he hates church! I say that “People have failed you, but God has not and He is true to His word.” I’ve tried to point our the difference between religion and true Spiritual life. Now I think it is time to back off – as several of you have said — and let God do something for him. It not supposed to be “my thing” as “it is God who saves”. Who knows by what means that man will find Jesus? Like you say, Di, some seeds have been planted, and now we need to watch them grow. Who knows by what circumstance or other person this friend will come to find salvation? Lord, help me to let go, and to feel good about it! Amen.
“I will yet praise Him”!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Exactly the words I needed to hear today!
i have been mentoring a young woman for almost 8 months. i have come to love her and care for her, but her selfishness is getting harder and harder to take. i am discouraged because i so want her to come to know Jesus as her Lord, but she is doing everything opposite. i know that i just need to let it go. i have planted some seeds, and i know that i may not see the results. i just have to keep trusting God. i can’t pressure her to let Him into her life. It hurts. When one door closes, another one opens! Thank you, Jesus.
While reading this, I couldn’t help but think of my mother, and moving her into a nursing home (town house). My sibs and I don’t agree, but I find God’s peace when I remind myself that this isn’t about me. It is about mother, however, and she means the world to me. But if I’m out-numbered by my sibs (I’m the middle child), then I need to let it go. I’ve done all I can to make my “case” w/ them (Life Alert installed in her home …etc). There are many many underlying things that get in the way of this being a “good decision” in my mind (mother is in good health for an 82 yr old woman – good physical condition). My sibs just like the “social scene” for her. I could never ever explain it all, so you would understand it here (but God knows everything). This isn’t about “winning”, this is about doing the right thing for mom. So, I will smile and “be of good cheer”. I won’t state my case to them again (they just don’t get it), but I will continue to pray for my mother, and that she will be in the arms of her Father who cares about her more than anything in this world, and who loves her unconditionally. He will prevail. I will keep my hope in Him, and offer praise to Him “in spite of the situation” (like you suggest in the devo). So, thank you for hitting the nail on the head for me this morning. This spoke to my heart directly. I will face the day w/ a smile, even though I know this thing w/ mother will not go the way I would like… ah! But God is good. Mom will be living exactly where God wants her to live. I trust Him… and I end here w/ a smile. :) Thx for the devo.
To BJ, you are so right…it’s about “not getting what we want”. Too many times i am like a spoiled brat WANTING someone or something more than anything else. Where it seems, if i DON”T get it well, i’ll just be unhappy and sulk and life won’t ever be to my satisfaction! Ha! Faith, for me, is making “spoiled self” understand i have to be OK with NOT knowing the why’s and the wherefores…just keep praising HIM even when my arms are so weary. i figure i’ve made enough poor choices and must surrender every choice to His Word and His direction. This has been the hardest place for me to move out of yet through the power of the Holy Spirit…i CAN and WILL do it!
What discourages me is having God say “NO” to me. Too many “red lights” after being given the “green light” yet i KNOW He knows what’s best for me even when i don’t. Frustration discourages me yet i lift my arms up to HIM in worship and in praise regardless. i know i must defeat the enemy and not remain in any passive positions. i know the Creator laughs at the devil and so i feel staying in ANY negative position has that foe laughing at me. My hope is in God my Father to upgrade me with the blessing which is just above that discouragement. With His help i can dismantle the negative and move on to the higher level of His Kingdom. Bless you.
Why do we become discouraged in the first place? Because we are valuing something other than the presence of God, more than God Himself. When we value something in God’s creation more than the Creator, and then don’t get what we want, we get discouraged. Value your relationship with God, made possible by the shed blood of Jesus, more than anything else, and you cannot lose your joy. Scripture says nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39. What else do you require to be joyful and to bring praise to our Father?