I don't know about you, but for me, it's easier to praise God when things are going according to our plans--when we're 'rising above'. However, when things aren't going my way, I tend to get angry, pout, cry, question, or perhaps even blame God. Lately, God has been showing me that I need to praise Him regardless..
It all started a few weeks ago, I was on my way to work and was listening to KLRC (the local Christian radio station). A song came on that I've heard a million and one times, and I started singing along. In the middle of the chorus, I started thinking about what I was singing- "I will praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands. You are who You are, no matter where I am..." I felt God was saying, "Will you really praise me in the storm?" "Of course I will," I thought, and then I continued singing the song.
Within a few days, a "storm" started brewing in my life. It was one of those "when it rains, it pours" weeks. I became frustrated and disheartened. I was venting to a co-worker/friend of mine about the trials in my life. He gave me a pep talk, and started walking off when he said, "Praise Him in the storm." That one hit me like a ton of bricks. My friend, who had no knowledge of the lesson God had started showing me a few days prior, delivered a message that hit my heart hard: I, who had told God that I would praise Him in the storm, had failed miserably.
At that moment, God really started working on my heart about sincerely praising Him in everything. Not just saying I do, and not really doing it.
Again, tonight, I was reminded of this. I was watching the movie Facing the Giants. For those of you who haven't seen it, it's a Christian movie about trusting God, praising Him regardless of the outcome, and some good ol' football. In the movie, the main character is a high school football coach. His team is failing miserably and everyone is stacked against him. Also, his car constantly breaks down and his house is falling apart, and he can't afford to fix everything. Finally, his wife and him have been trying unsucessfully to conceive a child for four years. With all of this things going on, he determines that He's going to press forward, trusting God no matter what. Throughout the movie, he constantly says, "And if we win, we praise Him; and if we lose, we praise Him". After he has adapted his new way of thinking, lots of good things happen, as well as some bad things. However, throughout the movie, the coach still determines that he will praise God no matter what. He also tries to instill this thinking into his collegues, his team, and his wife. At one point, he asks his wife, "If the Lord never gives us children, will you still love Him?
The whole movie as a whole struck my heart, but the question the coach asked his wife really got to me. Think about it.. There's something we want more than anything.. For me, it's a Godly husband and children. Now, insert your deepest heart's desire in the blank: "If the Lord never gives you ____, will you still love Him?" It's so easy to say yes, but take a moment to actually think about it. If God never gives you that house, that child, that career, that spouse, etc. that you so desperately want, will you still love Him? And will you still praise Him or will you blame Him or even turn your back on Him if you don't get your way?
By the constant grace of God, I'm trying to change my attitude about all the "storms" or disappointments in my life- no matter how big, or how small. This is far from an easy lesson to learn- this lesson has come with many trials so far, and I'm sure it's a lifelong lesson. However, I am determined to praise Him whether I win or lose, no matter what storms may come. I urge you to do the same. Learn along with me to give God the glory in all things. Even though it may be so hard, I'm sure it will be well worth it.
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
