“to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” ~ Isaiah 61:3
When we go through times of difficulty, we usually do everything in the book except praise. We cry. Scream. Yell. Rant. Get angry. Get counseling. Pray. Talk to each other. But we never stop and start praising. I understand why it’s hard to praise when your world comes crashing down on top of you. When you’re overwhelmed, and you can’t seem to get it together. It is hard to praise! But it’s necessary.
Praise isn’t for God. He doesn’t need our praise. God doesn’t suddenly get weak, or His glory grow dim because we stopped praising Him. Praise is for us. When we praise, God hears us. And if God is hearing us, then He will answer. Things begin to change when we praise because we’re no longer looking at our own self, we’re no longer looking at our own problems, we’re now completely focused on God. That’s when He can heal what’s been broken, breathe fresh life into us, and change our point of view. Depression has to flee when you praise. Suicide has to flee when you praise. Anxiety has to flee when you praise. Illness has to flee when you praise. Don’t stay defeated, put on the garment of praise, and watch your new outcome take place!
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Praise.