How Praising God Can Help You Deal with Challenges - The Crosswalk Devotional - November 18

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How Praising God Can Help You Deal with Challenges
By Whitney Hopler 

Bible Reading
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15, NIV 

Recently, I’ve been dealing with several serious challenges simultaneously. Thinking about all of those situations makes me feel overwhelmed. But one practice always helps me let go of the stress and find peace: praising God. That may seem counterintuitive because it’s natural to want to praise God when life is going well, but it's difficult to praise God when we’re going through challenges. However, every time I offer God a sacrifice of praise by choosing to praise no matter how I feel, something powerful happens. God lifts my perspective beyond my bad circumstances so I can see the goodness of hope. 

In life, challenges are inevitable. No one is exempt from facing difficult times. During these times, it’s easy to focus on the pain, frustration, or confusion that we feel from our challenges. However, Hebrews 13:15 invites us to approach challenges with a different mindset. Instead of dwelling on the negative, this verse encourages us to “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” 

Praising God in difficult times is not easy. It’s a sacrifice because it requires going against our emotions and choosing to trust in God’s goodness despite our circumstances. When we choose to praise God during challenging times, we may feel as if we’re giving up our right to feel angry, disappointed, or discouraged. But choosing to praise God anyway is an important act of faith. By making that choice, we are declaring that God’s character and promises are unchanging, regardless of how we feel or what circumstances we’re facing.

When we do this, something profound happens. In the middle of our honest challenges, praise shifts our perspective. It strengthens our faith and draws us closer to God.

Praise is not just a matter of saying the right words or singing a worship song. It’s about recognizing God’s goodness, even when life seems unfair or incomprehensible. Hebrews 13:15 emphasizes that we should “continually” offer this praise. This suggests an ongoing attitude of gratitude and worship that extends beyond our circumstances. Praise shifts our focus. When we are in the middle of a storm, it’s easy to become consumed with our problems. However, praise takes our eyes off our struggles and places them back on God. Praise has the power to change our perspective, allowing us to see our situation through the lens of faith in our good God rather than fear. 

Praising God while facing challenges is like saying: “God, I don’t understand what’s happening, but I trust you.” It anchors us in the belief that God is good and that he is working in ways we can’t see. The more we praise God, the more our faith grows. That helps us stand strong, even when the winds of life blow hard against us. When we praise God in challenging situations, we become aware of God’s presence with us. Although our circumstances may not change immediately, praise points us in the direction of God, who we can trust to be there for us and help us with what we need. God becomes our source of hope, peace, and confidence. Praise also changes our hearts. As we lift up our voices in praise, the Holy Spirit works in us to calm our fears and fight anxiety for us. Experiencing God’s peace through praise renews our strength to face our challenges well.

How often do you turn to praise when life becomes difficult? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the circumstances, or are you able to see that you’re in God’s loving hands, no matter what you face? Offering a sacrifice of praise is not about ignoring the reality of your situation, but about choosing to trust that God is still good, still powerful, and still with you. The next time you face a challenge, try praising God first. It may not change your situation immediately, but it will change your heart.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider how choosing to praise our good God in bad circumstances can help you, reflect on these questions: 

  • What are some specific challenges you’re facing right now? How does your perspective on these challenges shift when you choose to praise God?
  • In what ways has God been faithful to you in the past? How can remembering God’s past faithfulness encourage you to praise God in your current challenges?
  • When you think of offering a “sacrifice of praise,” what emotions come to mind? How might praising God despite your feelings deepen your trust in God?
  • How does focusing on God’s unchanging character through praise help you release anxiety and fear about your circumstances?
  • What practical steps can you take to develop a lifestyle of continual praise, even when life feels overwhelming? 

Further Reading:
Psalm 34:1
Philippians 4:6-7
Isaiah 61:3
2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Habakkuk 3:17-18

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Royalty Free 


headshot of author Whitney HoplerWhitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com and on her Facebook author page.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

Broadcasting from his home station of KRLA in Los Angeles, the Dennis Prager Show is heard across the country. Everything in life – from politics to religion to relationships – is grist for Dennis’ mill. If it’s interesting, if it affects your life, then Dennis will be talking about it – with passion, humor, insight and wisdom.

Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

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How Praising God Can Help You Deal with Challenges - The Crosswalk Devotional - November 18

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Audio By Carbonatix

The Crosswalk Devotional updated banner logo

How Praising God Can Help You Deal with Challenges
By Whitney Hopler 

Bible Reading
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” – Hebrews 13:15, NIV 

Recently, I’ve been dealing with several serious challenges simultaneously. Thinking about all of those situations makes me feel overwhelmed. But one practice always helps me let go of the stress and find peace: praising God. That may seem counterintuitive because it’s natural to want to praise God when life is going well, but it's difficult to praise God when we’re going through challenges. However, every time I offer God a sacrifice of praise by choosing to praise no matter how I feel, something powerful happens. God lifts my perspective beyond my bad circumstances so I can see the goodness of hope. 

In life, challenges are inevitable. No one is exempt from facing difficult times. During these times, it’s easy to focus on the pain, frustration, or confusion that we feel from our challenges. However, Hebrews 13:15 invites us to approach challenges with a different mindset. Instead of dwelling on the negative, this verse encourages us to “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” 

Praising God in difficult times is not easy. It’s a sacrifice because it requires going against our emotions and choosing to trust in God’s goodness despite our circumstances. When we choose to praise God during challenging times, we may feel as if we’re giving up our right to feel angry, disappointed, or discouraged. But choosing to praise God anyway is an important act of faith. By making that choice, we are declaring that God’s character and promises are unchanging, regardless of how we feel or what circumstances we’re facing.

When we do this, something profound happens. In the middle of our honest challenges, praise shifts our perspective. It strengthens our faith and draws us closer to God.

Praise is not just a matter of saying the right words or singing a worship song. It’s about recognizing God’s goodness, even when life seems unfair or incomprehensible. Hebrews 13:15 emphasizes that we should “continually” offer this praise. This suggests an ongoing attitude of gratitude and worship that extends beyond our circumstances. Praise shifts our focus. When we are in the middle of a storm, it’s easy to become consumed with our problems. However, praise takes our eyes off our struggles and places them back on God. Praise has the power to change our perspective, allowing us to see our situation through the lens of faith in our good God rather than fear. 

Praising God while facing challenges is like saying: “God, I don’t understand what’s happening, but I trust you.” It anchors us in the belief that God is good and that he is working in ways we can’t see. The more we praise God, the more our faith grows. That helps us stand strong, even when the winds of life blow hard against us. When we praise God in challenging situations, we become aware of God’s presence with us. Although our circumstances may not change immediately, praise points us in the direction of God, who we can trust to be there for us and help us with what we need. God becomes our source of hope, peace, and confidence. Praise also changes our hearts. As we lift up our voices in praise, the Holy Spirit works in us to calm our fears and fight anxiety for us. Experiencing God’s peace through praise renews our strength to face our challenges well.

How often do you turn to praise when life becomes difficult? Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the circumstances, or are you able to see that you’re in God’s loving hands, no matter what you face? Offering a sacrifice of praise is not about ignoring the reality of your situation, but about choosing to trust that God is still good, still powerful, and still with you. The next time you face a challenge, try praising God first. It may not change your situation immediately, but it will change your heart.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

As you consider how choosing to praise our good God in bad circumstances can help you, reflect on these questions: 

  • What are some specific challenges you’re facing right now? How does your perspective on these challenges shift when you choose to praise God?
  • In what ways has God been faithful to you in the past? How can remembering God’s past faithfulness encourage you to praise God in your current challenges?
  • When you think of offering a “sacrifice of praise,” what emotions come to mind? How might praising God despite your feelings deepen your trust in God?
  • How does focusing on God’s unchanging character through praise help you release anxiety and fear about your circumstances?
  • What practical steps can you take to develop a lifestyle of continual praise, even when life feels overwhelming? 

Further Reading:
Psalm 34:1
Philippians 4:6-7
Isaiah 61:3
2 Chronicles 20:21-22
Habakkuk 3:17-18

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Royalty Free 


headshot of author Whitney HoplerWhitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com and on her Facebook author page.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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