Praise Him in the Storm

"Praise the Lord!" How apt these three words are to flow from our mouths during the good times, but what about the bad times? When we're in a bad mood, praise is usually the farthest thing from our mind. When life comes tumbling down around us, praise seems impossible. Yet, praise is the very thing that will lift us out of our despondency and circumstances.

Indeed, the struggles we experience all around us seem so weighty and difficult. They seem so big. That is, until we catch a hold of something bigger. We must turn our focus off ourselves and onto our Savior.

I like what Hannah W. Smith (quoted in One Thing I Desire by Sarah Bryant) says about this idea:

"We are never once commanded to

behold our emotions

nor our experiences,

or even our sins,

but we are commanded to

turn our backs upon all these

and to behold the Lamb of God."

We are in a similar situation as Peter. He stepped out on the waters in pursuit of his Lord and walked on water, looking all the time at his goal: Christ. Yet, as soon as he took his eyes off the Lord, gazing instead at the waters beneath his feet, he began to sink. He looked at his impossible circumstances and forgot about the Lord. In that instant, he began to sink.

So it is with us, when we glance around us at the circumstances surrounding us, our steps falter. However, when we turn our eyes back to the Lord, we overcome by His power. He saved Peter, and He will save us.

We must recognize Him through praise, even when our circumstances are not praiseworthy. But that's the point. We're not called to thank God for our circumstances, but rather for Who He is.

We typically think of thanksgiving in the midst of hardship like this:

Thank You, God, for this cancer.

Thank You, Jesus, for this car crash.

Thank You, Lord, for this financial blow.

Such thanks is merely lip service. We're not really glad our brand new car now needs repairs. We don't really mean what we say. However, since God is a God of sincerity, He doesn't ask us to thank Him for these things. Rather, He asks us to thank Him for Who He is!

"Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting." ~Psalm 106:1

"Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!" ~Psalm 150:2

Despite out circumstances, we can praise God because although the things around us change, He never does. We praise Him because He never leaves us nor forsakes us, no matter the fires we go through. His love and compassion never fail. He crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

We can praise Him despite the trials we face. He is God and He is good. Let us take up the weapon of praise and wield it against any enemy that comes to defeat. We have a great God. Will we praise Him through this storm?