Do you sometimes find yourself in a funk? Perhaps the trials of life have you down and depressed or you’re just feeling blue without any specific reason. In this world, there is plenty to get us down. Jesus even promised us, “In this world, you will have trouble.” But the good news is that he has overcome the world. (I John 16:33)
You don’t have to stay down and depressed. In this post I will share with you a wonderful formula that is guaranteed to lift your spirits.
Amazing discovery
While browsing through the library one day several years ago, I stumbled upon a book called The Power of Praise. It changed my life. I had grown up in the church and was a Christian. Yet, I had never read anything that explained how much God inhabits our praise.
When we are in a good mood and things are going really well, it’s easy to express thanks to God. We can do this for his bountiful blessings. Isn’t it? But when things aren’t so great, it takes more of a sacrifice of praise.
I’ve applied techniques of praise throughout my life in good times and bad. It always works to bring me peace and draw me closer to Jesus and our Heavenly Father.
We all love a good worship service where we feel the close presence of God. Our praise doesn’t have to be limited to a Wednesday night or Sunday morning service. Anytime we want to feel close to him, we can start to praise him. Praise will always bring us comfort and encouragement.
The problem with redundant praise
Sometimes I feel like my praise can become redundant. I find myself repeating the same phrases over and over again. “Lord you are holy, you are magnificent, you are glorious, etc.” Of course, he is all these things and so much more. To get a more intimate connection to God, it helps to be more specific.
So where do we go to find the best words to praise God in the way that he is worthy? We look to the man who God called a man after his own heart, King David. In the book of Psalms, we have 150 chapters of praise to God. Many were written by this devout king. He knew how to praise God better than anyone who has ever lived. We can borrow from any one of David’s beautiful prayers. We can do this at any time to help us give appropriate glory to God.
Psalm 103
Here’s an example of just one chapter, Psalm 103.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. (Verse 1)
This verse reminds me to not just give lip service to God; but to praise him with my whole heart.
Forget not all his benefits. (Verse 2)
In our busy day to day lives, we don’t always stop and think about all the Lord provides for us. But when we do, we can’t help but become grateful. No one’s life is perfect and none of us have everything we want. But most of the time, the good far outweighs the bad.
I like to thank God for all the benefits he provides to his creation. He provides even to those who don’t yet know him. I’m sure thankful for the way he guided and looked after me before I became a Christian. He cares for us and loves us even when we don’t love him back. When we don’t believe in him, he believes in us. He causes the sun to shine and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)
God’s benefits
David goes on to list some of God’s benefits to those that follow him.
He’s forgiven my iniquities. (Verse 3)
He has healed my diseases. (Verse 3)
He redeemed my life from destruction. (Verse 4)
He has covered me with loving kindness and tender mercies. (Verse 4)
He renews my youth and vigor (Verse 5)
He has satisfied me with good things. (Verse 5)
He looks out for all the oppressed. (Verse 6)
He is merciful and gracious to me and when I sin and need correction, he doesn’t keep his anger forever. (Verses 8,9)
He hasn’t dealt with me according to my sins nor repaid me according to my iniquities. (Verse 10)
To those that fear him, he has cast our sins as far as the east to west. (Verse 12)
He is compassionate toward me because he knows I’m but dust – a fading flower that blooms for a little while and then withers away. (Verses 13-16)
As a faithful Christian, he even promises to extend his favor to my grandchildren. (Verse 17)
The tried-and-true formula
Can you think of a time when you were down and out? You reached out to God in either prayer or praise. You gained a new perspective on your problem, or you felt your spirit lift in spite of the circumstance.
Start your prayer time with praise from one of the many Psalms. Discover how much more fruitful it will become. Anytime you are feeling worried, depressed, or blue for any reason, start to praise the God of heaven. Use your own words and speak from your heart. Also, use the amazing psalms provided for us in the scriptures. It’s guaranteed to help!
And even if for some reason you don’t immediately feel better afterward, we know he’s still worthy of our praise. Isn’t he?
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
Revelation 4:11
He is worth of our praise no matter what our circumstances in life!