Have you ever tried praising God when everything around you felt like it was falling apart? Like, full-on ugly-cry, mascara-running, “Jesus, I can’t do this” vibes—but still lifting your hands anyway? That, my friend, is what it means to praise in hard times.
And it’s not just poetic—it’s powerful.
What Does It Mean to Praise in Hard Times?
Praising in hard times is choosing to worship God not because your situation is perfect, but because He is still worthy. It’s telling your soul, “Yes, this hurts, but I trust Him more than I trust what I see.”
Psalm 34: Praise Even When Life Hurts
David gets it. In Psalm 34:1, he says:
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Not sometimes, not when I get the job, not when I feel happy—all times. David wasn’t lounging on a beach when he wrote that. He was literally hiding in caves, running from a king who wanted him dead.
Praising in hard times is what makes faith real, even when the world looks dark.
Real-Life Example: Paul and Silas in Prison
In Acts 16:25-26:
“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God… 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.”
They praised in hard times. And God moved. Doors flew open, chains broke, lives changed. That’s what worship does—it’s a spiritual breakthrough energy.
2 Chronicles 20: Praise First, Watch God Fight
Jehoshaphat faced three armies at once. He could’ve panicked, but God said:
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord…”
They sent the worship team first. As they praised in hard times, God set ambushes and won the battle for them.
So when life throws spiritual bricks at your head, try this:
- Worship before the bad news hits.
- Worship while waiting on a breakthrough.
- Worship even when you feel broken.
Your Old Tweet Was Already Prophetic
A few years ago, I tweeted:
“In Psalm 34, David reminds us that we should praise God through the good times and bad. Praise should fill our hearts every day, no matter our circumstances – especially when we are walking through seasons of great trials. Praise God through the battles, and when life gets hard.”
Now I see that praising in hard times is my anchor. It shifts the atmosphere and opens the door for miracles.
Praise Is Spiritual Warfare
Isaiah 61:3 says God gives us:
“…the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
So when anxiety tries to sit on your chest, grief floods in, or betrayal knocks—you fight back by praising in hard times.
Play that worship song. Shout “Hallelujah” through tears. Whisper, “God, I still trust You.” That’s how walls fall. That’s how storms quiet. That’s how healing begins.
A Song That Says It All
“I’ll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where I am…” — Casting Crowns
This song reminds us that praising in hard times is a spiritual posture of faith. God hasn’t forgotten you.
Final Thoughts
Praising God when life is easy is simple. But praising in hard times? That’s when heaven moves. That’s when walls crumble. That’s when breakthroughs happen.
If you’re in a storm right now, don’t let the enemy steal your praise. Let it rise louder, march like the Israelites did around Jericho, and shout—because your breakthrough is coming.
📚 Want more posts like this? Read the rest of the blog