God is worthy of our praise. Regardless of circumstances, regardless of broken relationships, regardless of the death of a loved one, regardless of the job opportunity that didn’t go your way… God is worthy of our worship all the time. In a world that is full of pain and difficulty, God provides tangible hope that is a light in the darkness. In God there is no darkness and “darkness is as light” to Him (Psalm 139:12).
So how do we position our hearts to praise Him when everything seems to be falling apart? How do we worship Him when it’s the last thing we want to do? I of course don’t have the solution to the problem of pain (maybe read C.S. Lewis' writings), but I can tell you what has helped me as I’ve gone through painful times in my life.
Staying in Scripture is essential. God’s Word is alive and full of truth that restores our minds. Scripture speaks directly to your heart. Scripture reveals the heart and nature of God, which brings hope and joy to a weary soul. Scripture reveals the promises of the Lord and gives testimonies of God’s faithfulness. God can and has brought restoration to impossible situations. Remind yourself of these testimonies! Our vision and power are limited, but His is not (Isaiah 55:9). “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5). Ask Holy Spirit to speak to you as your read through Scripture and then write down what he reveals to you!
Another powerful weapon that we have as believers in Jesus is our worship. When we choose to worship the Lord in our pain – when we choose to sing to God, to thank God, to get down on our knees and worship when we don’t feel like it - we show that we honor who He is, not just what He can give us. When we worship, we refocus our minds on the Lord’s nature and redirect our hearts toward Him. When we worship, we join the elders and angels who are constantly worshipping, saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Rev 4: 8).
I don’t know about you, but I want to be a part of that never-ending worship. God deserves everything from me. Who am I to withhold worship from the One who created me, who has revealed truth and love to me, who gives me His presence, and who has redeemed my life? “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will, they were created and have their being” (Rev 4:11).
Most importantly, God wants your heart. He is jealous for your heart. He wants to be with you. He wants your full attention. He is a good Father who wants to build a relationship with you. Seeking His presence is vital to combat the lies of the enemy and build our dependence on the One who will not fail us. Keeping your heart open to the Lord puts you in a position to receive the restoration, goodness, direction, and love of God. He hears your requests as you abide in Him (John 15) and guides you where you need to go, keeping your feet on level ground (Ps 143:10). God’s presence brings rest, healing, and safety. He wants you to come in all your emotion and all your mess to be your comfort. Ask the Lord to bring you into His presence where there is “fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11).