Praise, an Antidote to Distress
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Praise is the expression of gratitude and respect towards God, this is a process of rendering God's pedigree, accounting how great and mighty He is, telling of the battles He has worn, the ones He is winning and those He will still win, exulting Him above all.
Praise brings God into the scene. Praise opens the gates of Heaven and the doors of blessings. Praise dissipates worry and dilutes concern and fear. Praise tarnishes sadness and magnifies goodness.
There are times difficult situation will visit us, a time of distress and sorrow, delay shame and reproach. You may have prayed, instead of getting better it became worse, your soul is vexed, you have tried all you could as human and you feel like given up on God. But have you tried praise?
Praise is an antidote to distress in any situation we may find ourselves, it is a sure and effective pain killer, it's a proved working medicine for the sickness of the soul, it lifts up our spirit from the earth of disappointment to the heaven of fulfillment.
Paul and Silas praised
Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
They were not arrested for committing any crime against the law of the land, they were arrested for preaching the Gospel of salvation. To the look of man, they should be in distress, they were not just placed in prison, they were placed in the innermost secured prison and also their hands and legs were chained... This could make them renounce their faith in God, after all they were not paid in anyway.
But after prayer, they praised God in a magnificent way, they do not focus on the present problem, they praised God who made it possible for them to be in prison, they praised God because they know God is everywhere, they praised God that He is in control over all situation.
Acts 16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
What their human power could not do, what their strength could not do, God who was moved by their praise came down and visit, no bondage, no closed doors, no shackles could withstand the presence of the God of universe.
Praising the Lord is a miracle-working antidote to distress! No matter what our physical eyes see, God is at work in the spiritual realm. God is good. God is faithful
I don't know what you are going through today, it may be delay, distress, disappointment, barrenness, debt, sickness of any kind, shame or reproach, you may have tried all you could as man, you may have prayed and fasted, but I'm telling you to launch into praise, begin to praise God from the depth of your heart, fill your heart with joy and see God in action.
Praise is the sure antidote to distress, it brings joy to your heart, give you the courage to continue in the journey.
You may pray amiss, but you can never praise amiss.
Prayer may fail but praise can never fail.
Begin to praise in any situation you find yourself. And wait on God. Your expectation shall never be cut short.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of another day today in Jesus Christ name
2. Lord, give me a heart of praise in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, May you be glorified in all my life in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.