Praise God Anyway

We've all heard the saying: you're either in a storm, about to go through a storm, or coming out of a storm. We tend to retreat from God when experiencing uncertainties in life or disappointing times. Why do we do that? God is not the reason for the setback. I believe that God uses setbacks to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to him. I think it's our natural inclination to want to blame God for things or want to stop reading our word or even attending church. We may even pick up old habits again. God is our source of strength, and although it's hard to go through life's difficulties, these are the moments we need to press into God. I know it's painful to sing joyful songs and praises when you just experienced a breakup, or your car is about to be repossessed.

Let's face it; there's nothing fun about a breakup because no one wins. The best thing you can do in a storm is press into God anyway; your feelings may be hurt, and you may not feel like praising, but I encourage you to do so regardless of how you feel. On the other side of that, praise and prayer is your breakthrough. Sitting and moping about an unfair situation isn't going to change anything. You feel your feelings; you cry if you need to, and praise God. You may even have to glorify God through the snot and tears, but praise anyway. We have to remember that God is a loving God, and he sees our pain. We have to run to God, not away from him, because he is the only that can help us and comfort us. We don't always understand why things happen, but we have a father walking with us every step of the way.

When we are praising and worshipping God, we are not praising the bad situation; we are praising because, despite our situation, God is still a good father. Despite our situation, he still loves us, and good will come out of this moment. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Find scriptures that speak to your heart and read them over and over. You may not feel like doing so, but believe me, they will help you. The next time you find yourself in a storm, I encourage you to run to God and not away from him. And remember, you have the victory over this situation.