Introduction
As Christians, we all go through times of despair and discouragement. It’s easy to get caught up in the negativity of the world and forget the power of praise. But did you know that praising God can be a powerful tool to overcome these feelings?
The Bible is full of examples of how praise can change our circumstances and lift our spirits. In this blog post, we’ll explore the power of praise and how it can help us overcome despair and discouragement.
Praise is an act of faith
When we praise God, we are acknowledging His goodness, His love, and His faithfulness. In the book of Psalms, we see countless examples of the psalmist praising God in the midst of difficult circumstances. In Psalm 34:1-3, David writes, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”
David didn’t wait until his circumstances improved to praise God. Instead, he chose to praise God in the midst of his difficulties. When we choose to praise God in the midst of our trials, we are demonstrating our faith in Him. We are saying, “God, I trust that You are good, even when things don’t look good.”
Praise changes our focus
When we’re feeling discouraged or despairing, it’s easy to focus on our problems. We can become consumed by our negative thoughts and feelings. But when we choose to praise God, our focus shifts from ourselves and our circumstances to Him. Psalm 22:3 says, “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.”
When we praise God, we are reminding ourselves of His holiness, His power, and His love. We are lifting our eyes from our problems and placing them on Him. This shift in focus can have a powerful impact on our mood and perspective.
Praise invites God’s presence
When we praise God, we invite His presence into our lives. In Psalm 22:3, we see that God is “enthroned in the praises of Israel.” When we praise God, we create an atmosphere that is conducive to His presence. In the book of Acts, we see an example of this when Paul and Silas were thrown into prison. Instead of complaining or despairing, they chose to praise God. As they sang hymns and praised Him, the Bible says that “suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed” (Acts 16:26).
When we praise God, we open ourselves up to His power and presence. He is drawn to our worship, and His presence can bring peace, joy, and hope in the midst of our despair.
Praise reminds us of God’s past faithfulness
When we’re feeling discouraged or despairing, it can be easy to forget all the times God has been faithful to us in the past. But when we choose to praise Him, we are reminded of His past faithfulness. In Psalm 103:2-5, David writes, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
When we choose to praise God, we are reminded of His goodness and His faithfulness. We remember all the times He has forgiven us, healed us, and provided for us. This can give us hope and encouragement in the midst of our current struggles. We can trust that if God has been faithful in the past, He will be faithful again.
Praise is a weapon against the enemy
The enemy wants us to feel discouraged and despairing. He wants us to believe that our circumstances are hopeless and that God has abandoned us. But when we choose to praise God, we are fighting back against the enemy. In Psalm 149:6-9, we read, “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute on them the written judgment—this honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!”
When we praise God, we are wielding a powerful weapon against the enemy. Our praise can bind the enemy and bring victory in the spiritual realm. We can trust that God is fighting for us when we choose to praise Him in the midst of our struggles.
Conclusion
Praising God is a powerful tool for overcoming despair and discouragement. When we choose to praise Him, we are demonstrating our faith in Him, shifting our focus from ourselves to Him, inviting His presence into our lives, reminding ourselves of His past faithfulness, and fighting back against the enemy.
So the next time you’re feeling down, take some time to praise God. Put on some worship music, read through the Psalms, or simply thank Him for all He has done in your life. You may be surprised at how much your mood and perspective can change as a result. Remember, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
