Hurt? Praise.

Have you ever been at your wit's end? Maybe you don’t know where to go from here and everything seems confusing. Does it look like, maybe God didn’t do what He said he would do?

Praise. That’s all I’ve got.

I’ve been there, when things seem far off and nothing makes sense. Maybe the pain is getting too much to bear and maybe you just might buckle under the sheer weight of it.

Praise.

Praise is the only way to get to the other side. God might feel far off, but he’s not. He might seem silent, but He’s not. He loves you and is right there with you. He wants to meet you right where you are. Don’t be scared dear friend, God’s hand is over your life. He hasn’t left you high and dry. The almighty is still mindful of you. Don’t be afraid. Fear not, for He is with you always even till the end of time (Matt 28: 20).

Why praise even now?

• Praise brings clarity. In our hardest times, we long to hear from the one we have trusted in. The one whom we have given our heart. In our hardest times, it is also normal to feel pain and hurt; sadly in our pain and hurt it is also hardest to hear God. Anger, anxiety, fear – these are not the quietest places to hear the heart of our father. However, we can reset our hearts, by pouring ourselves out in worship. We worship Him not because of our current situation but because of who He is. We worship Him in our pain because we know we can receive healing even then if we only come before Him in His presence. In His presence is still fullness of joy, and at His right hands are still pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11).

You make known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

- Ps 16: 11

• He is faithful. Yes, even now He is still faithful. Even in the midst of the hurt and pain, God is still God. No buts, no maybes, no in betweens. He. Is. Faithful. So, for this simple fact – praise Him (Psalm 136).

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

His faithful love endures forever.

- Psalm 136:1

By and by, still nigh? His faithful love is still the same.

• He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Some of us have history with God, He who did it before is still faithful. He is too God to change, He doesn’t have to. He is the rock of ages, as steady as can be. He is faithful. He doesn’t have any reason to change. Rest in this, that He who did it before, is still in control and will surely fulfill His word concerning you.

• It heals. The presence of the Lord is a balm for your soul. When you surrender in worship, you give God a chance to comfort you. Have faith dear friend, He loves you and wants you close even now. Take the time to worship Him today instead of taking another sip of that drink. Love awaits you in His presence. No drug can do what only He can. Let God’s love wrap your hurting heart so you can find true relief for your soul.

In this all, the Lord beckons you to praise. Worship Him, it is your weapon and your reprieve.