“As long as I’m breathing, I have a reason to praise the Lord.” 

We can read in verses such as 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 that we are to “rejoice always.” To rejoice in something means to be glad and take delight in it. This sounds really nice, but while we might desire to praise God in all circumstances, it can be challenging when things are out of our control and start to take a turn for the worse. The world will tell you that you have the right to retaliate, cancel someone, or do whatever you want. In Scripture, you’ll read the exact opposite: “Give thanks in all circumstances!”

Giving thanks will sometimes look like singing songs of worship on the island of Oahu, but sometimes it will look like a quiet prayer when you’re fighting for the strength to continue. We are called to praise God in all circumstances. When things are going well, God has defeated the grave! When things are going bad, God has still defeated the grave! After all, our praise is a weapon we can use to drown out the lies of our Enemy and focus on the mission ahead.

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!”

1. Why can we praise God in both the good and bad?
2. How can you praise God practically apart from singing?