The hardest thing for anyone to do is to be positive about
ANYTHING when they are in the midst of challenges. In times of challenges, we
are often upset things aren’t going our way, disappointed things haven’t turned
around when you would like, sad that it feels like you can’t get ahead, and
just a plethora of other feelings which leave us feeling alone and hopeless. I
think of the MANY times I have been so down that life has not gone the way I
have wanted them to and man…rebounding back is tough.
BUT I am here to tell you that in the midst of all of the
challenges, we can still praise God. I will not go into the cliché of saying
that it could be worse, no matter how true that could be lol, to say you should
just suck it up. I say that because I’m 99% sure that this isn’t your first
rodeo with going through hard times. I’m 99% sure God delivered you before out
of those hard times. I’m 99% sure you praised God and was ready to proclaim
that God is such an awesome God. You do know that God that rescued you then is
still the same God today? So yes, it is OK to praise God in the midst of your
challenges. (Go ahead and do it now whether you in bad shape or not. I’ll wait)
You’re back? Cool. Felt good right? Lol. Anyway, I stress to
you to get out the habit of praising God only when things are going
great/good/ok. What type of allegiance or relationship is that if you can’t
stick to God when things are rough? Things could be catastrophic but you do
know God is still good? Right? Still good to you. Still good in your bad times.
He is good period. If we say we have a relationship with God, then what sense
does it make to only celebrate God when things are OK? Could a spouse remain
married to their spouse if they only wanted to attend to their needs or be good
to their spouse on their convenience? I suspect there would be a many failed
marriages.
Another reason to praise God is because it is your
responsibility! Psalms 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times...” All times.
Not out on anyone’s convenience. It just doesn’t work like that. God is good
right? God is/was faithful when you need/needed him correct? So why can’t we
praise Him in the midst of our challenges? We are trusting Him to bring us
through. Praise Him in advance! Praise Him because you KNOW that He will bring
you out. Praise Him because you believe in His power. You have access to that
power and will see that power. I promise you. He’s interceded for you when you
didn’t deserve it so why wouldn’t God intercede for you when you need it? Make
your requests known but praise Him before the blessing because you know it will
come, even if it isn’t packaged the way you thought.
