How Can I Praise God in Tough Times?
It’s easy to praise God when life feels good and everything is falling into place. But when things fall apart, worship can feel distant and unfamiliar.
Can you relate to that?
Many of us have walked through painful moments, especially in the last few months.
You might be in that place right now, struggling to find the words to thank God.
Maybe you’re sitting quietly, trying to pray, but you’re not sure what to say or how to even begin.
Life has a way of shifting suddenly. One moment, the road feels familiar, and the next, you’re navigating an unexpected detour filled with uncertainty.
It might be losing a job, saying goodbye to someone you love, or facing a serious health issue.
Whatever it is, the future now feels unclear and fear creeps in.
So, in tough times, how are we to respond?
Praise is a choice.
It might seem unusual, but choosing to praise God in tough times invites Him right into the heart of our struggles.
When everything feels uncertain, we still have a decision to make.
I can allow fear and worry to dominate my mind, or I can choose to praise God, trusting that He is in control.
Take Sarah and Ethan, for example. They once shared a joyful life filled with love and laughter.
Ethan was known for his warmth and cheerful spirit. But, their joy was shaken when Ethan received a cancer diagnosis.
For seven long months, Ethan battled the illness until he passed away, leaving Sarah devastated.
His absence left a deep ache, and she sank into a season of grief and quiet sorrow.
In the middle of her pain, Sarah turned to praise. It didn’t erase the hurt, but it lit a small flame of hope.
Also, the Scriptures reminded her that joy still had a place in her life—even if it had to rise slowly like the morning sun after a dark night.
She realized that praising God didn’t mean denying her loss. It meant choosing to believe that even in tough times, God was near.
As she surrendered her pain to Him, she began to see how God was writing a bigger story, one where healing and praise could grow from sorrow.
Eventually, Sarah started to feel God’s presence more clearly. Her heart began to heal, little by little.
Praise helped her see beauty through the cracks of her loss.
Sarah’s story reminds us that praising God doesn’t mean ignoring pain. It means holding on to faith when everything else feels shaky.
Indeed, in tough times…
This echoes a powerful truth: nothing, not even death, can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38–39).
Sorrow may linger through the night, but joy always comes with the morning.
I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
Psalms 34:1b
Reasons why we praise God in tough times
Praise drives out despair:
There’s no better way to lift a heavy heart than to take our eyes off ourselves and turn them toward God.
When we shift our focus, something powerful happens.
As Isaiah 61:3 puts it:
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.
Isaiah 61:3
Praise lifts us from sorrow into joy:
Praise is a powerful weapon against the enemy.
Satan, once known as Lucifer—the angel who led worship in heaven, was cast out because of his pride and desire to be like God.
Ever since, he has despised praise. It reminds him of the glory he lost and can never reclaim.
That’s why our worship bothers him so deeply.
Every time we praise, we remind him that he has already been defeated.
Praise brings God’s peace into our lives:
Scripture encourages us not to be anxious (Philippians 4:6–7).
And in John 14:27, Jesus Himself says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Praise helps us receive that peace.
When we lift our voices in thanksgiving, we make room for God’s calming presence to fill our hearts.
God is worthy of all the praise!
The Bible reminds us in Isaiah 55:8–9 that God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts go far beyond our understanding.
In moments of pain and confusion, we may not grasp His plan, but we can still trust His heart.
God is never distant in our sorrow. Psalm 34:18 reminds us that God is close to the brokenhearted, meeting us in our grief, doubts, and moments of weakness.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalms 34:18
The truth is, God never stops loving us. His grace flows endlessly, meeting us in every moment.
Praises often fade when we start misjudging God—when we blame Him for the tough times in our lives or assume He’s punishing us.
But that’s not who He is.
God remains holy, just, and good through every season.
His thoughts about us don’t fluctuate based on our pain or doubts.
Trials are not evidence of His absence, nor are they punishments from a distant God.
They are part of life in a broken world, but He walks with us through them.
Complaining is the opposite of praise. It saps our energy, amplifies the enemy’s influence, and distorts our sense of identity.
We all slip into it at times, but when complaining becomes our default, it harms us more than we know.
Yes, the world feels chaotic. So much is uncertain. So much is painful. But in the midst of it all, we must keep our eyes fixed on the One who holds everything together.
Praising God in tough times is not denial. It’s recognition!
It’s recognizing His nearness, His comfort, and His sustaining grace.
Even when the pain doesn’t disappear, we can be confident that when we call on Him, He will never leave us.
So, press on. Praise God in tough times, and keep living like Christ here on earth.
Maranatha!
You have built a stronghold by the songs of babies. Strength rises up with the chorus of singing children. This kind of praise has the power to shut Satan’s mouth.Childlike worship will silence the madness of those who oppose you.
Psalm 8:2
