Don’t Quit

When Israel was held captive by Babylon, they struggled to worship. They hung up their harps in the midst of their sorrow. They were far from home, and they didn’t want to sing. These are very relatable circumstances. Songs of praise aren’t easy to sing when we are filled with sorrow, longing, and grief. Thankfulness doesn’t come easily when we are walking through something painful. It’s much harder to focus on God’s goodness when our vision is clouded by disappointment, betrayal, trauma, or stress.

When we lose hope or can’t see how our situation will be redeemed, it takes discipline and intention to worship with joy and thanksgiving. This sometimes means turning our eyes toward God when it’s the last thing we want to do. It means trusting that the truth is steady even when our circumstances are not. It means speaking out in faith even when we are filled with doubt. Every prayer you utter, song you sing, and Scripture you read is an act of faith that leads you closer to God’s heart.

Don’t allow difficult seasons to keep you from worshiping. Don’t give in to the temptation to isolate yourself or pull back from God. This is exactly what the enemy wants. He wants you to be filled with despair, but God wants you to be filled with hope. The enemy wants you to think you are helpless, but God wants you to know that He has given you everything you need to make it through whatever you are facing.

Your worship isn’t tied to a location or a particular set of circumstances. The Holy Spirit is within you, and Jesus is interceding on your behalf. The Holy Spirit can draw you to worship even when you can’t utter anything coherent. He will remind you of truth and help you turn your eyes toward God despite your situation.

God never leaves you alone, even when you feel far away from Him. He is always near, and He is faithful through every season. Allow yourself to be drawn toward Him in worship. From that place, He will soften your heart and hem you in. He will lead you through whatever you are facing, comforting you and lifting you up along the way.