Praise and worship God in all things. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Praise can change a situation and this posture moves the heart of God. Not every situation has a perfect solution. That’s ok. God is teaching you to rely on Him more. Give your burdens to Him today.

Why does God allow praise to change a situation quicker? You may ask. I hear you say: I pleaded with God in the middle of the night, read the Bible and even prayed in tongues and I heard nothing and my situation stayed the same. While I believe God responds to those selfless acts to Him, there is more the answer. He changes a situation quicker when we are more alignment with His wishes for your life. And praise is the quickest way from my experience in telling God, “I don’t know how this situation is going to turn out but I trust You in the midst of it.” Prayer can be that expression unto God but true praise is often voiced without worry, fear or doubt but complete submission to the loving Father’s will. And this enables to Holy Spirit to do His best work as our requests come before the throne room for Him to answer. When the Holy Spirit and God answers He wants you to know that the solution is for your best. And sometimes you have to “wrestle” with God for the best outcome. Jacob wrestled with God for answers but God overcame. (Genesis 32:22-30). God even changed Jacob’s name after this encounter to Israel which means, “May God prevail.”

So how do you get into that head and heart space of praise? Worship and prayer can be vessels into allowing the Holy Spirit to move your heart into praise. But my first advice is to praise God in the good, bad and ugly. Some situations look hopeless and ugly. You may have a health or financial crisis. Or a broken relationship with a friend or family member. Those are the places where you continue to come to God. I know it’s hard though.

You don’t have to have, “joyous mountaintop-praise” singing “Worthy is the Lamb” at the top of your lungs. Those are wonderful experiences to be felt before God. But if it’s an ugly situation: an unfair lawsuit, verbal or sexual assault or the death of a loved one, maybe singing at the top of your lungs it’s on your mind. Feel no shame for your grief and/or lack of high energy. We all have days like this. The enemy of your soul wants you to feel false guilt so your praise will be reduced. Don’t let him win!

My second advice is, “let it rip.” Don’t think too much. One time I struggled through a broken relationship early on in my walk with Christ. I was on the floor, crying, listening to “Beautiful Lord” by Leeland. The lyrics go, “I’m captured by this love I see/Beautiful Lord/Tender and holy/Your mercy brings me to my knees/It’s Your mercy that has made me free/Beautiful Lord.” I stayed in the moment and thought about how others have let me down but God never will. “His mercy has made me free.” I went to that dark place and gave it to God. That is praise, my friend. The good, bad, and ugly.

Let’s allow our pain to create joy and praise unto God. Here is some encouragement:
y and the sin that so easily holds us back.

“Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:2. NCV).

He finish the good work in us! Amen and “praise” God! 😀

How do you praise God? Any take away from this piece?