Life can be hard, messy, draining, and even devastating, can’t it? Some issues aren’t temporary trials…they can take months or years to resolve, even when you’re actively trying. Ongoing problems with physical health, relationships, emotional health, parenting, work, life purpose…

Have you ever been dealing with so much for so long that you’re desperate for an ounce of joy, peace and encouragement?

Lately I’m reminded again of the power of praise.

How utterly essential it is for our own spiritual and emotional health to daily focus on God. To praise Him, thank Him, worship Him, connect with Him, read His words, listen for His voice and wisdom.

When I’m in a pit of discouragement, it really never fails that when I choose to look to God and worship Him, burdens lift off of my shoulders and peace invades.

Worship is powerful.

Worship is also a choice.

It’s an act of faith; choosing to declare and believe in Goodness, Kindness, Love. God is all of those things, and more.

I’d love to share a word of encouragement with you today that I shared several years ago but it still encourages me today.  It encourages me to keep praising and seeking God; to willingly exchange my discouragement for His encouragement.

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I was feeling discouraged so I decided to go straight to Psalm 93 because it talks about how God is reigning no matter what. God is reigning and He is ruling with strength.

 ^“God is King, robed and ruling,
God is robed and surging with strength.

And yes, the world is firm, immovable,
Your throne ever firm—you’re Eternal!

Sea storms are up, God,
Sea storms wild and roaring,
Sea storms with thunderous breakers.

Stronger than wild sea storms,
Mightier than sea-storm breakers,
Mighty God rules from High Heaven.

What you say goes—it always has.
“Beauty” and “Holy” mark your palace rule,
God, to the very end of time.”

I love this psalm because it talks about God being in charge. He’s the one ruling and reigning, no matter what. And whether you like the person who’s in charge of your company or country or whatever else, God is ultimately the one reigning and ruling, and He’s stronger than any storm you face.

So, after I read through Psalm 93, I read through psalms 92-99. I kept reading and rereading them. I love them because a lot of them talk about God being sovereign and ruling and reining.

But they also call us to worship!

So, I started worshiping God. I started praising God. I started singing. I started thanking Him for every big and small thing I could think of. Suddenly, I was so filled with joy and encouragement and peace.

It was amazing because just half an hour earlier I had been filled with so much discouragement. But as I worshiped God and thanked Him and meditated on His words, He exchanged my discouragement for encouragement.

As a result, I wanted to jump and dance and shout! All day long I wanted to tell everyone about this joy that God had given me…and I did, and some people thought I was a little weird but that’s ok.

In John 14: 27, Jesus says: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So, don’t be troubled or afraid.” (NLT)

So…

What’s your storm? What’s the storm you’re walking through right now in your life? I want to encourage you that God is bigger than that storm.

Jesus offers us peace, and even though it seems too good to be true, it’s real and it’s there for us to receive.

And just like we read in Psalm 93, even as big and powerful and overwhelming as the sea storm is—with the breakers that are sweeping over the psalmist in his heart—God’s bigger! And God reigns.

This week I encourage you to read Psalm 93. Think about it, meditate on it. And then worship God; thank Him. Sing praises to Him. Receive His offer of joy and peace.