Praise in Spite of Pain

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Praise in Spite of Pain

Building Blocks for God’s People – Part 6

Speaker: Pastor
Series:

Praising God in the Midst of Pain: Finding Hope When Life Hurts

Have you ever felt like your world was crumbling around you? Like the pain and disappointment were too much to bear? I’ve been there. In fact, 2023 has been one of the toughest years of my life.

My son lost his best friend in a tragic accident. I’ve had two unexpected surgeries with another looming. Our family equipment literally went up in flames. And just this past week, we lost our dear niece Sarah far too soon.

In times like these, it’s easy to question God or turn away from Him in anger. But as I’ve wrestled with these trials, I’ve been drawn back to a powerful story in the book of Acts that reminds us how to praise God even when life hurts.

The Midnight Worship Service

In Acts 16, we find the apostle Paul and his companion Silas in a dire situation. They had been unjustly beaten and thrown into prison, their feet fastened in painful stocks. Yet at midnight, we’re told that “Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25).

This midnight worship service teaches us four crucial truths about praising God in painful times:

1. Our Worship Is Not Affected by Our Circumstances

Paul and Silas had every reason to complain, yet they chose to praise. As I often remind our congregation, “God chooses what we go through; we choose how we go through it.” Their example challenges us to worship regardless of our situation.

2. Our Worship Is Directed Towards the Lord

In their pain, Paul and Silas turned to the only One who could truly help – the Lord Himself. They cried out to Him in prayer and lifted their voices in praise. When we’re hurting, we must resist the temptation to turn to false comforts and instead seek God’s face.

3. Our Worship Is a Witness to the Lost

The other prisoners were listening as Paul and Silas sang. Our praise in difficult times can be a powerful testimony to those around us who don’t know Christ. It demonstrates the reality of our faith and the goodness of our God.

4. Our Worship Is Grounded in Hope

Paul and Silas could praise because they understood the Gospel. They knew that whether God delivered them miraculously or through death, they would ultimately be with Him. As I often say, “The gospel is the answer to all of our issues and our problems and our struggles and our heartache and all of our questions.”

Choosing to Believe

Recently, my wife shared a song with me that has ministered deeply to her heart as we’ve walked through the loss of our niece. It’s called “Faithful” by Steven Curtis Chapman, written after the tragic death of his young daughter. The chorus declares:

“I will proclaim it to the world
I will declare it to my heart
I’ll sing it when the sun is shining
I will scream it in the dark
You are faithful, you are faithful”

These words capture the essence of praising God in pain. It’s a choice we make, even when our emotions and circumstances scream otherwise. We choose to believe and declare God’s faithfulness.

Putting It Into Practice

So how do we cultivate this kind of praise in the midst of our pain? Here are a few practical steps:

  1. Immerse yourself in God’s Word. Let the truths of Scripture shape your perspective on your circumstances.
  2. Turn to God in prayer. Pour out your heart to Him honestly, but also take time to recall His character and promises.
  3. Surround yourself with other believers. Let the body of Christ encourage and uplift you when you’re struggling.
  4. Choose to sing. Even if you don’t feel like it, lift your voice in praise. Let the truth of the words minister to your own heart.
  5. Look for God’s hand at work. Like Paul and Silas, we may not see the full picture, but we can trust that God is working even in our pain.

Remember, as I shared in my sermon, “God had a plan for Joseph when his brothers sold him into slavery. God had a plan for Naomi and Ruth. He had a plan for Job. God had a plan for Esther.” And God has a plan for you in whatever painful circumstance you’re facing today.

May we be a people who, like Paul and Silas, can sing God’s praises even at midnight. For He is faithful, and He is good, no matter what we face.

We hope you enjoyed the sermon and would love to see you in person. Plan your visit to Community Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee today!

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