Praise God in Your Darkest Moments

Psalms 16:7-11

God Is With You

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful onesee decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (NIV)

By Jacob Emptage

Introduction

We all go through trials in this lifetime. We all struggle with something, and sometimes we focus so much on what we are dealing with that we lose sight of what God can produce from it. Romans 5:3-5 tells us that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. What you are going through might be building you up so you are able to endure what might be coming. Your season of hurt, sadness, and brokenness is only temporary, but God’s plan for your life is perfect. The hurt and sadness we experience are often born from the brokenness of this world, but God is always at work to bring good out of it. Praise God for what He is going to do in your life, that person He is trying to turn you into.

Offering a “Sacrifice of Praise”

A “Sacrifice of Praise” is the intentional act of offering worship to God when our circumstances make it difficult. While praise often comes naturally when we feel joyful and are experiencing God’s blessings, a sacrifice of praise is a deliberate choice made when we are in a difficult, painful, or dark situation. It is an act of faith that costs us something.

Why it is a "Sacrifice"

• It costs you something: Praising God in the midst of suffering requires you to lay aside your feelings of discouragement, bitterness, or despair. You are sacrificing your right to complain, mourn, or be angry at your situation. It is a profound act of humility to surrender your natural inclinations and instead lift your voice in worship.

• It demonstrates faith: A sacrifice of praise is a powerful declaration of faith. It shows that you believe God is still good and trustworthy, even when you cannot see or feel His goodness. It is an act of trusting in His character over your current reality.

• It is a testament to God’s worth: By praising God in your darkest moments, you are declaring that He is more worthy of your focus and praise than your problems are. You are putting God in His rightful place, above all else.

A powerful biblical example of a sacrifice of praise is the story of Job. In a single day, he lost his children, his wealth, and his health. Yet, in the face of unimaginable sorrow, his immediate response was not anger but a profound declaration of trust: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21 NIV).

Question: In your darkest moments, what are you holding onto—the right to be angry, the desire for sympathy, or the habit of complaining—that you are willing to lay down? Will you choose to offer God the sacrifice of your praise and declare His worth above your pain?

Remembering and recounting His past faithfulness

Remembering and recounting God's past faithfulness is a powerful tool that transforms our perspective and strengthens our ability to praise Him in the present. When we are facing a new or overwhelming challenge, our minds can be consumed with anxiety and fear. By intentionally looking back at the ways God has provided for us, protected us, and delivered us in the past, we can ground our present reality in the truth of His consistent and faithful character.

• It Builds Hope: Recalling God's past provision and deliverance builds hope for the future, reminding us that He will come through again.

• It Fortifies Your Faith: This practice fortifies your faith by providing a tangible record of God's unchanging character.

• It Shifts Focus: It shifts your focus from your present circumstances to God's proven track record, turning your attention from the problem to the Provider.

A biblical example of this is David, who, when facing Goliath, did not focus on the giant's size but on how God had previously delivered him from the lion and the bear (1 Samuel 17:37).

What specific past acts of God's faithfulness can you recall and recount to strengthen your faith today?

Singing, Even In Chains

Singing praises to God in a difficult situation is one of the most visible and powerful expressions of a sacrifice of praise. It is a tangible act of worship that can break through the noise of our fears and physical pain. When we lift our voices in song, we are not simply expressing our feelings; we are actively engaging in spiritual warfare, declaring God's power and presence over our circumstances. This act can be a profound witness to those around us.

• It Releases Spiritual Power: Worship in the midst of suffering is a spiritual weapon that can break the hold of despair and fear.

• It Serves as a Witness: Praising God in a trial is a powerful witness to others, demonstrating a faith that is not dependent on circumstances.

• It Declares God's Sovereignty: Singing while in chains is a declaration that God is worthy of praise, regardless of whether you are physically free.

In the book of Acts, Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison, yet they chose to sing hymns, and as a result, the other prisoners were listening (Acts 16:25).

When was the last time you chose to worship God through song, even when you didn't feel like it?

Giving Thanks In All Circumstances

Gratitude is a cornerstone of a sacrifice of praise, requiring us to give thanks in all circumstances, not for all circumstances. This distinction is crucial because it allows us to acknowledge the pain while still finding reasons to be thankful to God. When we intentionally choose to express gratitude, we are redirecting our hearts and minds away from our losses and toward the unwavering grace and presence of God. It is an active choice that fights against a complaining spirit and cultivates a heart of faith.

• It Redirects Attention: Gratitude redirects our attention from what we lack to what we have, namely God’s unchanging love, grace, and presence.

• It Is a Choice of the Will: Giving thanks is an act of the will, not just a feeling, that actively fights against a complaining spirit.

• It Cultivates a Right Heart: It cultivates a heart that recognizes God’s hand and goodness in every part of our lives, even the difficult parts.

The Bible commands us to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

What is one thing you can be thankful for today, even if your circumstances are not what you wish they were?

Rejoicing In the Lord, Regardless of Circumstances

The ultimate expression of a sacrifice of praise is to find a deep, abiding joy in the Lord that is independent of your circumstances. This joy is not a fleeting emotion based on good fortune, but a spiritual fruit that remains even when happiness is absent. By choosing to rejoice in the Lord, you are making a profound statement that your hope is not in the world's promises but in God alone. This is the ultimate declaration of His sufficiency and a powerful living testament that He is more than enough to sustain you through any trial.

• It Is Unwavering: This type of joy is different from happiness, which is tied to external events; biblical joy remains even when happiness is absent.

• It is a Declaration of God's Sufficiency: It is the ultimate declaration that God is enough to sustain you through any trial.

• It is a Spiritual Fruit: This joy is a fruit of the Spirit, not a human emotion you can manufacture, which is why it can be found even in a difficult situation.

The Apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament from a prison cell, consistently encouraged believers to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4).

How does your joy in the Lord change when you intentionally choose to focus on His character instead of your current circumstances?