How Praising God Can Help You Deal with Challenges
By Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15, NIV
Recently, I’ve been dealing with several serious challenges simultaneously. Thinking about all of those situations makes me feel overwhelmed. But one practice always helps me let go of the stress and find peace: praising God. That may seem counterintuitive because it’s natural to want to praise God when life is going well, but it's difficult to praise God when we’re going through challenges. However, every time I offer God a sacrifice of praise by choosing to praise no matter how I feel, something powerful happens. God lifts my perspective beyond my bad circumstances so I can see the goodness of hope.
In life, challenges are inevitable. No one is exempt from facing difficult times. During these times, it’s easy to focus on the pain, frustration, or confusion that we feel from our challenges. However, Hebrews 13:15 invites us to approach challenges with a different mindset. Instead of dwelling on the negative, this verse encourages us to “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.”
Praising God in difficult times is not easy. It’s a sacrifice because it requires going against our emotions and choosing to trust in God’s goodness despite our circumstances. When we choose to praise God during challenging times, we may feel as if we’re giving up our right to feel angry, disappointed, or discouraged. But choosing to praise God anyway is an important act of faith. By making that choice, we are declaring that God’s character and promises are unchanging, regardless of how we feel or what circumstances we’re facing.
When we do this, something profound happens. In the middle of our honest challenges, praise shifts our perspective. It strengthens our faith and draws us closer to God.
Praise is not just a matter of saying the right words or singing a worship song. It’s about recognizing God’s goodness, even when life seems unfair or incomprehensible. Hebrews 13:15 emphasizes that we should “continually” offer this praise. This suggests an ongoing attitude of gratitude and worship that extends beyond our circumstances. Praise shifts our focus. When we are in the middle of a storm, it’s easy to become consumed with our problems. However, praise takes our eyes off our struggles and places them back on God. Praise has the power to change our perspective, allowing us to see our situation through the lens of faith in our good God rather than fear.
Praising God while facing challenges is like saying: “God, I don’t understand what’s happening, but I trust you.” It anchors us in the belief that God is good and that he is working in ways we can’t see. The more we praise God, the more our faith grows. That helps us stand strong, even when the winds of life blow hard against us. When we praise God in challenging situations, we become aware of God’s presence with us. Although our circumstances may not change immediately, praise points us in the direction of God, who we can trust to be there for us and help us with what we need. God becomes our source of hope, peace, and confidence. Praise also changes our hearts. As we lift up our voices in praise, the Holy Spirit works in us to calm our fears and fight anxiety for us. Experiencing God’s peace through praise renews our strength to face our challenges well.
How often do you turn to praise when life becomes difficult? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the circumstances, or are you able to see that you’re in God’s loving hands, no matter what you face? Offering a sacrifice of praise is not about ignoring the reality of your situation, but about choosing to trust that God is still good, still powerful, and still with you. The next time you face a challenge, try praising God first. It may not change your situation immediately, but it will change your heart.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how choosing to praise our good God in bad circumstances can help you, reflect on these questions:
- What are some specific challenges you’re facing right now? How does your perspective on these challenges shift when you choose to praise God?
- In what ways has God been faithful to you in the past? How can remembering God’s past faithfulness encourage you to praise God in your current challenges?
- When you think of offering a “sacrifice of praise,” what emotions come to mind? How might praising God despite your feelings deepen your trust in God?
- How does focusing on God’s unchanging character through praise help you release anxiety and fear about your circumstances?
- What practical steps can you take to develop a lifestyle of continual praise, even when life feels overwhelming?
Further Reading:
Psalm 34:1
Philippians 4:6-7
Isaiah 61:3
2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Habakkuk 3:17-18
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Royalty Free
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.
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