Praise Changes Things
Struggle and hardship are two words we shy away from in our modern culture. We want the pain to stop and the trials to end. We search endlessly for relief and busy ourselves with anything and everything to distract us from being uncomfortable. The art of being still has truly become endangered and the stress of life is consuming every waking hour and seeping even into our sleepless nights and overwrought bodies.
My struggles continue. Your struggles continue. Not much has changed for me. Life is harder and more painful than ever and the act of simply getting out of bed every day takes gargantuan effort.
Several weeks ago, I injured my shoulder. It took 3 trips to the emergency room and a visit to an orthopaedic doctor to finally get a diagnosis and some relief. I wore a sling for 13 days straight, 24 hours a day. I couldn’t shower properly or dress myself or take care of the usual hygiene matters without excruciating pain. Tears were frequent as was the constant begging for relief from the agony. My body chemistry and other health issues do not allow for pain meds and complex reactions to them are the norm for me. About 11 days into this latest situation, I found myself utterly distraught, angry and desperate. I couldn’t pray, I certainly couldn’t worship and I couldn’t hear God.
Those of you who know me, know I have an abundance of challenges on a daily basis. But this situation truly broke me. I don’t know if it was the indignity of it all or simply an accumulation of suffering, but my spirit felt lost and alone like never before. I found myself saying “Father, I don’t even know who you are today. Help me know you in this suffering.” I suddenly had the thought to put on music and being old fashioned, I still have CD’s and I found one titled “Father”. It is an hour long and as I listened to the words of truth in each song, my heart began to be soothed. By the second time through the CD, I was sobbing, yet somehow comforted, and relaxed enough to nap. I confessed my anger at God and let the healing balm of his presence flood me like an avalanche of grace and love.
It wasn’t God’s fault that I hurt my shoulder, but I wanted to be healed immediately. I didn’t want to endure one more sickness, or illness or disease or injury and when healing didn’t come, I got angry and hardened my heart. That’s not good.
As the years have passed, we as westerners have forgotten the fruit of long-suffering and the gift of perseverance. Yes, it’s a gift. I am often reminded that God did not remove obstacles in the stories of the Bible, but instead He made a way through the situation. On my 3rd visit to the ER with agonizing pain, the nurse was trying desperately to insert an IV so that I could receive some pain meds. Writhing in pain is not helpful when needles are involved so through desperate pleas and many tears I began trying to whisper Psalm 23.
Verse 4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil”
“Even though,” implies it’s going to happen. “Through,” means keep going and don’t stop.
Proverbs 27:21
“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.”
Silver is purified in the crucible and gold is purified in the furnace. The heat is turned up and all the impurities and imperfections are melted away to reveal beautiful, precious metals. We are purified by our struggles and our attitude in the midst of them reveals our heart. You and I are tested by our praise. As I read that verse today, I found myself wanting to be a person who is known for praise in the midst of dire circumstances. Praise is our secret weapon when we find ourselves in impossible situations. Praise tears down strongholds and lifts our spirits. Praise is the power we possess every day to bring about breakthrough and change. I’d like to say that praise is my first response to difficulties and pain, but often it is not. It usually takes a while for me to figure it out but fortunately, God is patient and constantly offers an abundance of hope in my distress. I always get there in the end.
If you find yourself in a state of despair and hopelessness today, I encourage you to open your mouth and praise God. It may seem utterly awkward and contrived at first but keep going. We were made to worship. Nothing else makes more sense than letting go of our flesh and focusing on someone mightier and more worthy than God Himself. Let praise be on your lips night and day even if you don’t understand why. Speak it, sing it, think it, pray it, do it. Your circumstances will change and breakthrough will come.