You’ve heard the songs, the sermons, the Bible verses, and the coffee mug quotes about praising God through the storm. It’s 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. Are there benefits of praising God in hard times?
Why is praising God so important, especially when you’re facing great trials in your life?
Most of us need more than a “you should praise God because Scripture says so” to make such effort to turn our hearts to praise when our hearts are full of grief, despair, worry, and fear.
What will praising God do to help you in this storm? How will praising God through the storm change your situation?
Beyond the “should do,” praise is one of your greatest gifts to God and one of your greatest weapons against your enemies.
When you’re in the storms of life, under fire from battles on numerous fronts, facing difficult trials, take hope in God’s power. Turn your heart to find praise for the God who loves you and is fighting for you.
Believe in God’s great power and might and sing his praises, even when your heart is heavy.
Let’s look at seven reasons to praise God, especially when life gets hard. Beyond the “should do”, there are many benefits of praising God, even when you’re in the storm.
7 Benefits of Praising God in Hard Times
1) God Will Fight For You
God will fight for you, when you place your full trust in him. When you stop worrying and trying to fix it all on your own, you allow the space for God to step in. Give the glory to God and praise his power and faithfulness. Trust that God is working for your good in all things.
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
2 Chronicles 20:22 (NIV)
2) God Will Protect You
God is your shelter from the storm, your refuge in times of trouble. He will protect you from the battles in this life. So, rejoice in the God who loves you so much and give him your praise.
When your heart turns to God, trusting him and praising his great name, you’ll find his peace which passes all understanding.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
Psalm 5:11 (NIV)
Let them ever sing for you.
Spread your protection over them,
That those who love your name may rejoice in you.
The righteous will rejoice in the Lord
Psalm 64:10 (NIV)
And take refuge in him;
All the upright in heart will glory in him!
3) God Will Refresh and Renew Your Spirit
When the trials of this life leave you worn out and weary, singing God’s praises will fill your heart with joy. Lift up your heart to God and allow him to refresh and renew your spirit.
Praise can turn around even the worst day and make your heart feel light. It can boost your spirits and put a smile on your face.
So, turn up a worship song and sing along.
Pray along with your favorite Psalm of praise.
Look around you and praise God for all the blessing you see.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
My heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
And with my song I praise him.
4) Praise Gives God a Gift and an Offering
Praise is not only a command, but a gift we give to God. It’s a sacrifice of our heart – giving him our best, even when we don’t feel up to it. The more we praise God and give him this gift, the more we’ll be filled with God’s love to share with others.
Praising God through the storms not only blesses God, but will bless those around you who witness such faithfulness.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Hebrews 13:15-16 (NIV)
5) Praise Makes Your Troubles Seem Smaller
When life is hard, it’s easy to focus in on all the problems you’re facing. Those challenges begin to loom larger and all you can see are the difficulties you’re facing.
When you turn your heart to praising God, though, those problems begin to shrink. As your eyes focus on God, you’ll find a new perspective on your trials. As the song says, “the things of this earth will grow strongly dim”.
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
6) Praise Opens Your Eyes to Blessings
When you’re embattled and under fire, it can be hard to notice the blessings. Your focus is on the issues in your life, not on the blessings.
Praising God will open your eyes to see all the ways God is at work in your life. You’ll see the blessings he’s given you outside of these trials and you’ll see how he’s at work in your battles. Set your eyes upon him, and you’ll see him more clearly.
Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. 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.
Deuteronomy 8:6-9 (NIV)
7) Praise Makes Miracles Possible
Do you need a miracle? Do your problems seem bigger than any earthly solution? How are you praising God and praying for that miracle?
When troubles begin to surround you, look for ways to focus your thoughts and actions on praise and thanksgiving. Allow God to work his wonders through your testimony of praise through the storm.
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.
Acts 16:25-26 (NIV)
Surrounded – 14-Day Devotional to Fight Your Battles with Praise
Do you feel surrounded by the battles of life?
Fight back with a sacrifice of praise, knowing God is by your side through whatever you’re fighting.
Go deeper with Surrounded – a 14-day Devotional to Fight Your Battles with Praise.
In this devotional, you’ll explore how God is in fighting for you and why praising God is your best weapon in the battle.
As a bonus, you’ll get a set of printable prayer and scripture cards to help you find words of praise through the battle.
Click here to learn more about the Surrounded Devotional.
