Worship Through It

We’ve all likely heard the expression that God works in mysterious ways. In my own life, I have seen God moving and working the most during times of difficulty—and because of that, I have learned to lean hard on the Lord during those seasons in the valley. It has been in the moments when I don’t understand what He is doing that I have found the greatest peace in keeping my eyes fixed upon Him.

Just a couple of months ago, my husband of seven years unexpectedly passed away. I have never felt a pain so great, but amid this pain, God is here. He has shown me His faithfulness and goodness, and He has poured out His love upon me in ways I have never experienced before. The Bible tells us He is close to the brokenhearted and He rescues those whose spirits are crushed—and it’s true! (See Psalm 34:18.)

Just two days after my husband’s death, I felt the Lord telling me I needed to keep worshipping Him through this season, no matter how hard it was. So, out of obedience to the Lord, I chose to lead worship as I always do for our weekly service, and it was powerful. I have continued to worship through this season, and it has helped me to keep my eyes fixed upon the Author and Finisher of my Faith.

When Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, they chose to look to the Lord and worship Him right in their jail cell. The worship that came forth from that place was so powerful that it shook the prison, the doors were opened, and the chains of every prisoner fell off.

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! (Acts 16:25-26 NLT)

When Paul and Silas worshipped the Lord amid their difficulty, it radically changed the atmosphere around them, set them free, and opened the door for them to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the jailer and his entire household. That’s amazing!

It is not easy to worship the Lord during seasons of difficulty when you have more questions than answers, but the truth is that no matter what you are facing, God is always good. He is always loving, and He is always faithful. When we lay aside our unanswered questions and choose to look to the One who has all the answers and worship Him despite how we feel, or what we are facing, He changes the atmosphere around us. He shakes those things with faulty foundations in our lives, sets us free, and opens doors that were previously inaccessible to us.

I don’t know what you are facing right here at this moment, but I know Who does. Look to Him and keep your eyes fixed; He will give you His peace. (See Isaiah 26:3.) Choose to worship through your season in the valley, and watch God show up in ways you never thought possible. He is closer than the air you breathe, and He won’t leave you alone in the valley. Trust Him to come through for you.

Father God, You are awesome. There is nothing that is difficult for You and nothing is impossible with You. Lord, for those who have so many questions running through their minds, be their peace. For those who are hurt and broken, be their Healer. Comfort them as only You can. Give them the strength they need to worship You through the valley and help them to lean on You and keep their eyes fixed upon You. We praise Your holy name because You are worthy of our praise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.