If the headline resonates, you’re probably familiar with the lyrics from the song “Even When It Hurts (Praise Song),” by Hillsong United.
I’ve been listening to it a lot lately.
The song about praising God in the midst of pain, sorrow or suffering. There’s even one line that goes, “Even when it hurts like hell, I’ll praise You. Even when it makes no sense to sing, louder than I’ll sing Your praise.”
I’m in the middle of a season where those words really resonate.
To the rest of the world, it probably looks pretty crazy to praise God when we’re hurting or are still waiting on an answer to prayer. But that’s exactly what the Bible tells us to do.
It also serves as a testimony of God’s faithfulness, that we would even still want to praise Him.
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
I’m not going to tell you that’s an easy thing to do. But in my own experience, I’ve found that staying mad and frustrated about my circumstances only gets me so far.
It kind of feels good to be mad at first, I’ll admit. Just to say, God, I’m mad at you. This isn’t fair. But then what? I’ll tell you one thing, the enemy would love for you to stay in that place — just stay discouraged, don’t even try to get back up on your feet and worship the Lord.
The good news is, you don’t even have to get all the way to your feet. Just get on your knees. Start praying. Start praising His great name for all He’s done in your life.
For one thing, it draws us closer to Him. He provides comfort during our hardest moments. He also provides peace.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)
He’s not just our savior but our friend and comforter. He loves us. It could take being down in the depths to realize just how much.
That’s been true in my own experience. I can honestly say I’ve reached my lowest point, and God was still there. He always provides the grace to get through.
And through praising Him each day, no matter how difficult my circumstance, He’s brought me closer to Him and shown me that my life is not my own. Everything I’m facing is simply a testament to be used for God’s glory.
God loves you and desires a relationship with you. Just go to Him with a heart of praise and thanksgiving. He hears your prayers, and always brings about the right thing in His timing.
Maybe what He wants to show you right now is how to sing until the miracle comes.
Cait Harrison 