When the Going Gets Rough, Offer Praises

One poem is not enough

Your daily life possibly revolves around work or other activities that will help you maximize your freedom, discover your individuality, and achieve your dreams.

But there will come a time when you suddenly face a crisis or conflict, health issues, financial setback, and job loss, to name but a few. With all these challenges, would you still have the courage to sing praises?

What’s the best response when the odds are against you?

When faced with a stormy situation, Christians turn to the Bible. One of the most prominent figures in the Bible is Saul, the greatest Christian persecutor. He was converted to Paul and became the greatest apostle to the Gentiles.

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.” Note that the verse encourages Christians to rejoice in the Lord all the time.

Offering praises can be seen in Paul’s life. His experience was stated in Acts 16:25–26. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.”

Storms have sounds—roaring sounds. Similarly, praises in poems have sounds that reach the heaven. When you write a poem while going through an intensely horrifying experience, there is a certain catharsis to it.

Poetry is another venue to express your feelings while searching, struggling, surrendering, and finding life’s significance in Christ.

Did you know that the Bible has a lot of poems? An example of this is Psalm 1:1–2, where the righteous and the wicked are being compared.

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, / Nor stand in the path of sinners, / Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! / But his delight is in the law of the Lord, / And in His law he meditates day and night.”

God wants to be in the canvass of our lives. He carries and guides us in times of troubles. Whenever you feel hopeless, remember this line from James 1:12.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”

What do you do when you encounter problems in life? Share with me your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Also, check out my books The Mysteries of My Soul: A Collection of Poems and Praises in the Storm: A Collection of Poems (Improved Edition) on my website.

References

Mabilog, Patrick. 2016. “7 Scriptures on Praising God through Affliction” Christian Today, July 21. Accessed June 27, 2018. https://www.christiantoday.com/article/7-scriptures-on-praising-god-through-affliction/91087.htm

Smith, Stephen. 2018. “66 Bible Verses about Praise You in the Storm.” Crossway Bibles, June 19. Accessed June 27, 2018. https://www.openbible.info/topics/praise_you_in_the_storm_