Find Joy In Today

Have you ever walked a path so dark that you questioned God’s love? The more you prayed and fasted, the more silent He seemed. Doubts began to rear their ugly heads with questions like: “Where are You, God? What are You doing? Don’t You love me? Do You even care? Why is this happening? Have I done something wrong?”

In our own humanness, we often see our circumstances from our own perspective and not of Gods. I can count on two hands the times I have felt abandoned by God during life’s challenges. It’s during these trials that my faith is tested, and I find myself questioning His presence. I yearn for a deeper understanding of His purpose, hoping to find some kind of meaning in my suffering.

However, even in those dark moments, I’ve found comfort in God’s unwavering love and guidance. His grace has carried me through, reminding me that His plans are far greater than my understanding.

An Example From My Life

I remember a time years ago when I went through a very frightening trial. I was having acute abdominal pain right before and during my monthly menses. At times the pain was so severe that I would break out in a cold sweat and shake uncontrollably. I would even get sick to my stomach because of the intense pain.

With some persuasion from my husband, I went to the emergency room where tests were performed. A large mass was found on my right ovary. It was so heavy that my ovary was displaced down by my bladder. I remember the look on the doctor’s face. As he looked at me he told me he thought I may have ovarian cancer and he needed to perform surgery. I felt like I had just been hit by a freight train as horrible thoughts began to run through my mind. Fear had taken hold of my heart like a vice-grip.

Even though God never left my side, I no longer could feel Him anywhere because the fear had blinded me from seeing my Father’s face. I was afraid of the potential diagnosis, and I was afraid of the surgery. I was in a lose-lose situation. Or so I thought.

The following weeks were spent in deep prayer and intercession. Our church family was praying over me every Sunday but nothing was changing. I still had my symptoms, and I still had the mass. I would believe for a miracle but nothing happened. God became silent. I would ask God where He was, and why He wasn’t answering my prayers but I couldn’t hear His still, small voice in the chaos of my mind. I didn’t want the mass and I certainly didn’t want surgery. My desire was to be instantly healed and delivered from all my fears.

But then one night God spoke to me:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” –Isaiah 43:1-2

How many know that sometimes God takes us THROUGH the battle? He wanted me to learn to trust Him in the midst of my storm. As I raised my Hallelujah’s up to God, His peace penetrated my heart and I knew everything was going to be ok. And it was.

How do I Praise God in my Storm?

• Express praise verbally: Praise God openly and verbally. It can be very powerful to hear your own voice praising the Lord.  Oftentimes, the presence of God will encapsulate you so powerfully, that you know He has heard your cry.
• Use fear and worry as reminders: When you feel fear or worry, use it as a reminder to praise God. Don’t allow the fearful thoughts to create a scary, what-if scene in your mind. Meditate on what God says about your situation. 
• Pray short prayers: You can pray short prayers throughout the day, such as “God, I feel so alone, but thank you that your Word promises that you are with me always”.  “I know You are beside me, leading me to a path of healing.”
• Listen to praise and worship songs: Listening to praise and worship songs can help you express your feelings.  I often put worship music on and just sit and basque in the presence of God.
• Put a scripture verse somewhere you’ll see it:  You can put a scripture verse on a sticky note and put it somewhere you’ll see it regularly.  This is a powerful and easy way to memorize scripture that you can pray.
• Surround yourself with godly friends: Having godly friends who can pray with you and for you can be a great source of strength and encouragement when you are going through battles.
• Thank God for his love and promise to be near:  You can thank God for his love and his promise to be near you when you call to Him in prayer. He said in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Examples From the Bible

The Bible gives us many examples of individuals praising God even amidst challenging circumstances. Some prominent examples are: Psalm 23:4, where the Psalmist expresses trust in God even in the “valley of the shadow of death.” Another example is the story of Jonah, who praised God while being trapped inside the belly of a whale after disobeying God’s command. Other examples are:

• Psalm 34:1: King David cried out “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”  He penned this Psalm when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away. This Psalm teaches us that God pays attention and hears our cries. Whether or not God offers us an escape from our trouble or helps us through our troubles, we can rest assured that He always hears and is always there with us.
• Psalm 46:10: The son’s of Korah sang out: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  God is always there to help us through our trials. He provides us with refuge, security, and peace. He will not fail to rescue those who love Him.
• Daniel 6:10: “”And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. ” In spite of the threat of being thrown into a lion’s den if he prayed to God, Daniel still offered up praise. And in return, God delivered him from the den of lions. 
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul describes his suffering as an opportunity to depend on God’s grace, stating “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  God’s strength is demonstrated in our brokenness.

Things to Remember About Praising God

It may not be easy to praise God in your storms, and sometimes you may only have a whisper of “Jesus” on your lips, but it is essential to experience His peace in your life. Below are three things to remember as you give God praise:

• Acknowledge God’s sovereignty: Even in difficult times, you can find comfort knowing that God is in control.  – Proverbs 16:9 [NIV] says: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
• Trust in God’s promises: Hold onto God’s word and believing that He will deliver you even during life’s storms.  Romans 8:28 [KJV] 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.”
• Use your praise as a weapon against fear: When anxiety and fear begin to rear their ugly heads, praising God will help calm your anxious mind. Psalms 94:19 NKJV says, “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.”
• Believe that you are not alone. God is always with you. When you feel as though He has abandoned you and left you, remember Hebrews 13:5: “For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Conclusion

If you are alive, you will undoubtedly go through hard seasons in your life. Oftentimes, you will be left with questions and wonder if God hears your cries for help. It is in these dark times when we need to realize once and for all God is with us.

When I gave you an example from my own life, I told you I kept praying but I didn’t think God was hearing me because my prayer was left unanswered. But God doesn’t always heal miraculously. Sometimes He may decide to answer your prayer in a completely different way then you’d expect. Lean in and see how He is wanting to work in your life. Don’t give up praying because your answer could be just a whisper away. Don’t stop mid-miracle.

Even when the road seems long and hard, and you feel like you’re lost in the dark, keep your faith and hold onto Jesus as tightly as you can. He will bring you through your night and you will see the light of day. Keep on praying and keep on believing and watch and see what God can and will do in your life.