“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (ESV)
The Bible promises us that we will have tribulation in this life. It promises that things will not always go smoothly or turn out favourably. Yet, despite this knowledge, when faced with trials or hardships what would be your first response?
Would you become angry and discouraged?
Would you curse God and lose faith?
Or would you worship Him?
What you must understand is that your circumstances do not determine God’s goodness. God is always worthy of praise. (Revelation 4:11)
But, Will you still praise Him even when things aren’t going well?
To find out the answer, here are some things you ought to consider.
Have You Made Your Faith Your Own?
It can be a lot easier to believe in God when you are riding on someone else’s faith; when you are relying on someone else’s miracle, testimony or experience with God. But there comes a point in your Christian walk that you need to make your faith your own.
Maybe initially, you sought the Lord because your parents taught you to or your peers were doing so. But having faith that is only based on a parent’s command or unity with your peers, will not stand the test of time.
If you are going to be able to seek God and praise Him in hardship, you need to have your own, personal relationship with God. This starts by realising your need for a Saviour and then receiving salvation. (Romans 10:9)
Then, once you experience God for yourself, have your own testimony and miracles to share, you will find more reasons to praise Him.
Have You Prepared Yourself to Seek God?
2 Chronicles 11 and 12, tells the story of King Rehoboam who started out walking in a way that was pleasing to God. But once he became prosperous, he departed from God and did evil. This happened because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord. (2 Chronicles 12:14 (NKJV))
But prosperity is not the only thing that could lead you away from God.
If you are going to keep praising God in the midst of trials, you also need to prepare your heart. This means asking yourself “What would I do in the face of trouble?”
Will I seek God’s counsel and turn to prayer and fasting? Or would I abandon Him?
These questions are not meant to make you anticipate terrible occurrences. But they are meant to help you remain aware that you will not always be faced with pleasant situations and often, it is unpleasant situations that draw you away from God. Therefore, to ensure that does not happen, have you prepared yourself?
Have you set your heart to still love and seek God, even when you do not see what you are expecting? Or have you prepared yourself to hold onto your faith and hope, even when you are being shunned?
Do You Know What Comes After?
Whilst we are promised tribulation now, we are also promised that when Jesus returns there will be no more sorrow or pain. (Revelation 21:4) We are promised that the suffering we face here, is not worth comparing to what comes after this life. (Romans 8:18)
Do you ever take time to think about that?
If you remain aware of the end goal and the glorious life that waits, you will be encouraged to press on.
You will have a reason to endure and persevere through suffering.
And, you will have a promise you can hold onto and a reason to rejoice and praise God, even in the midst of hardship.
Will You Still Praise Him?
So now I ask you again “Will you still praise Him even when things aren’t going well?”
I believe that now you know what your answer would be.
It’s true, life’s circumstances are not always easy or joyful or pretty. But God will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
As a Christian, you have the blessing of travelling through life with a loving and mighty Shepherd. He will guide, protect and comfort you and see you safely to the other side. (Psalm 23)
So whether you are on the bright mountaintops or in the deepest valley, remember that God is with you.
Let this knowledge give you a reason to keep seeking Him, loving Him and giving Him praise, no matter what comes your way.
