How Can I Worship God When Things Seem So Bad?

Like the question, why does God let bad things happen to good people, the answer to the above is simple in thought, difficult in application. It's very easy to answer by saying you should worship God because He is worthy. I can answer by saying you should worship God because the Bible commands it. I can even say that by forcing yourself to worship in difficult circumstances, you can move God to change the circumstances, or at least change how you feel about them. All of these are true. But, actually living them is another thing. All you can really do is try your best. Even if you don't feel like worshipping, putting in the effort to sing a favorite song or hymn can unlock a spirit of worship that will soon have you rejoicing in the Lord.

I'm not saying doing this is some sort of "magical" cure to bring you to a place of joy in the midst of difficult times. There is nothing wrong with admitting you are having problems with what is happening in your life. It is not a lack of faith to state the facts of a situation. Nor is it a lack of faith to confess how you feel about it. Faith comes into it afterwards. Worship must be done in faith to please God (Heb 11:6). Therefore, expressing faith in God is a foundation of worship.

A Messianic acquaintance of mine named Burt Rosenberg likes to say that our faith in God is displayed by what comes after the word "but" in a sentence. If you say "I know God wants me to trust in His provision, but I haven't had a job for 3 months and unemployment is running out", then you have basically conceded that your circumstances are greater than God. On the other hand, if you say "I've been out of work for 3 months, and my benefits are about to end, but I know God has promised to supply all my needs according to His riches in glory", then you have declared that God is greater than you or your situation.

Is it hard to say something like this when times are rough? For some it may be, but that is where making a conscious effort to do so comes into play. (See "Redefining Prayer"). Simply making the statement that you believe God can and will provide for you in the midst of hard times is as great a statement of worship as any hymn or psalm ever written.

That, beloved, is all there is to worship. Really.

Don't just take my word for it. Habakkuk said it much better than I can.

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls-
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills

Habakkuk 3:17-19

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