We’re all learning, right?

We’re learning that we have the right before God to lament, to cry our hearts out, and ask: “Why!?” We are also learning, as individuals and as a church body, to praise God, even during hard times.
Have you found it easy or difficult to praise God this week? How do you feel about praising God at church this morning?

If it still feels difficult, don’t be discouraged! Don’t beat yourself up about it! This is not about meeting some religious requirement, but about learning, and deepening roots in your relationship to the living God, the Good Father, who loves you.

Instead, ask God:

Why do I feel that way? What’s holding me back?
Is there grief that needs addressing? Sin that needs confessing?
Am I feeling self-consciousness? Trapped in my own cynicism?

One beautiful thing about God is that He enables what He asks us to do. You’re never abandoned to work it out alone or in your own strength. So ask God to give you what you need in order to give Him praise; a friend, a song, a prophetic word, or a word from Scripture. For me, I’ve found it helpful remembering old songs, and exploring new ones. Youtube helps!

We can also trust that He enables us directly. Romans 8 says: “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” The Holy Spirit within you prays on your behalf! Good news.

Finally, think of the widow in Mark 12:41-44, whose two-coin offering looked paltry next to the great displays of the wealthy. But hers was the greater. However small or insignificant we may feel, our offerings of praise are very precious to Him.
Praise God!

-Mark