At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship.
- Job 1:20
When you are facing hurt, pain, and challenges in life, do you turn away from God, or are you still able to praise and worship the Lord our God?
This year, I have experienced grief and other life challenges and the song that continually comes to mind is Hillsong United's Even If It Hurts. Even though there were painful moments where I asked God for understanding and wrestled with questions for God, I was amazed that I was able to find a place in my heart that continuously praised God. My soul needed to worship God. It was through these moments of praise that I am able to find gratefulness and see the genius of God in making preparations and support for me as I experience hardship. In praising God, I found my rock to keep me grounded and protected, with an ability to move forward in life and through the pain. In praising God, I found strength, hope, and perspective.
These moments made me think fondly of Job. Even when he was tested, he was still able to fall to the ground in worship. When he lost everything, he recognized that he came to this world with nothing and everything that he had, for however long, was a blessing made possible through God. In knowing that gifts in life are fleeting, I have come to value life and those gifts and people in life, with such greater love.
We praise not only during the good, happy times. We praise all the time, inclusive of those painful and difficult moments. In fact, that is likely when we need God the most.
One thing to keep in mind is that praise does not necessarily mean full understanding of God's plan. There have been times in the bible where people still lament and there is a purpose for bringing one's grief, pain, and worries to God. By worshiping and praising, it does not require that we dismiss the hurt inside of us. Rather, by praising in spite of it, we are not ignoring it but rather finding peace within the storm. This ability to worship, praise and pray open up the dialogue in your faith with God. It may just help you listen to what God has to say and help you see how He can help you.
Reflection: How will you be praising God today?
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Praising God through difficult times will be the focus of this week's devotional. Enjoy weekly our Christian study while you listen to gospel music, hymns, Christian rock, and contemporary worship music on Christian Calm Radio.