I’ve been pounding on my piano keys a lot lately. Yes, pounding them hard, wrestling with sadness and questions and frustration. Creating beautiful music isn’t my goal. His glory is the goal and praising Him in the middle of pain is my desire. I’m compelled to turn my worry into worship even when the enemy is trying to chase me down, but it’s coming at a cost.
Pound, pound.
O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!
Psalm 71:12 (KJV)
When words fail me, when I have no immediate answer for our son’s devastating call, I raise my hands to the heavens and cry, “Why? Why, Lord? It’s just not fair . . . Please be near me, Lord.” With moments of kicking and screaming, I go to Him a bit like a little child. I know He wants what’s best for me, for our son, but the unfolding of that story isn’t known yet. And right now, in the midst of it, His story isn’t the one I’d choose, so those out-of-tune ivories have been getting a much needed workout.
Pound. Praise. Pound.
I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.
Psalm 6:6 (ESV)
When Jesus declared, “Let the little children come to me,” He didn’t put any caveats on that statement. He didn’t demand that only the well-behaved children come. He didn’t ask the disciples to bring the little children who would sit quietly by His side and never ask questions, nor do I assume it was the calm, tranquil environment of which children’s’ picture books paint that scene.
No, Jesus welcomed all children to come to him, so I’m fairly certain that included the messy, crying, loud ones too. But one thing I assume is that they came with all the questions. Envision it: “Why, Jesus? Why? Why?” Since we are His children, His most beloved daughters, He welcomes our questions and our cries because the answers are laid out for us. His Word does not return void.
Pound. Cry. Pound. Praise.
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God — who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly —
and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 (CSB)
I choose to usher my heart of sadness into song because over four hundred times, Scripture references us to sing. Fifty of those times, God assigns direct commands to sing, so I pound those keys through my frustrations and sing the truth found in Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs until they’ve pointed me to His faithfulness.
Why else do I sing and pound and lift His name up high?
I sing Scripture to impart solid theology to memory, but I also sing Scripture because songs of lament pierce my soul and allow the Holy Spirit to move my heart into a deeper connection of reverence and repentance before Him.
I sing songs of thanksgiving, not only because it’s commanded but also because I sing in response to His rescue and redemption of my life. He saved me from my sin, so how can I not sing?
Miriam, a woman, was the very first worship leader in Scripture. In Exodus 15, after the Israelites witnessed God’s power to miraculously destroy their enemies and deliver them from bondage, she picked up a tambourine and led with her song, testifying in gratitude His power to save. As we’re rescued from bondage, our souls ignite with a response of gratitude like Miriam’s. The Lord is worthy of our trust, so how can we not praise?
Sing to the Lord, for he is highlight exalted.
Exodus 15:21 (NIV)
Praise. Pound. Praise.
I sing of His love because when life doesn’t make sense, He does. I sing of His faithfulness because when Satan tries to tell me otherwise, God’s goodness is still worthy of our praise.
I fight to praise in the middle of my pain because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Praise. Praise. Raise a hallelujah.
So, crank your favorite worship song. Sing with abandon. Raise your hands to the heaven and dance in the kitchen. Boldly declare the truth in times of trial because when we sing His name, darkness flees.
This is my declaration today:
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me
I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee
I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery
I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!
I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive!
Raise a Hallelujah (Bethel Music)
AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN
YES Hallelujah and Amen!!!
Raising it all to Him,
yes, yes and yes. Praising in the storm is my hope. So many songs I associate with a difficult time. This song is one for my husbands initial cancer diagnosis. I have it printed and in my bible for encouragement. Praying and praising it makes a huge difference. So many good songs whether hymns or contemporary. It will help I promise. Thank you
My husband too…just diagnosed with malignant lesion on liver…so afraid…this is such a helpful post…
Mil – thank you for sharing. I know the fear is so real and if His words here offer a bit of comfort, I’m honored to pray with you.
Oh Chris – I am so sorry to hear this. Thank you for letting us walk with you from a distance as we stand in the gap on your behalf. xoxoxo
Jen, such beautiful truth! Really rather simple yet so not in my most used tool box. Why isn’t it? I wonder & scratch my head. Maturer saints modeling it & posts like yours certainly help me move that dusty tool toward the top of my response- to-life-tool box. I will raise my hallelujah in the middle of the storm not only after it passes!!! Thank you for honing me toward Christ likeness with your post!
Ruth – I read your sentence, “Really rather simple yet so not in my most used tool box. Why isn’t it? I wonder & scratch my head. Maturer saints modeling it…” and know that we all struggle to our most used tool box. Others consider me a “maturer saint” and yet the enemy wants nothing more than to steal and destroy our hope in Him. It’s a constant giving over to the Lord and begging Him for wisdom, isn’t it? We are all in the journey of praising Him in the middle of the storm while it doesn’t come as our first thought. xoxoxox
HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!
Amen! Our recent move has been tumultuous. Please pray for health in all areas – physical, spiritual, emotional and financial. And for the Lord to quickly direct us to a new church home.
I so needed this….sang it with so many tears!! Struggling with the ‘why’ question too…looking after my mother-in-law who was told yesterday she only has months to live. Thankyou for this word of encouragement.
Cathy – we can sing it together as you find the strength to comfort and love on your precious mother in law during this time. I’m so sorry for your family’s news.
Thank you sooo much. Our family has been in middle of unending storm for over a month and our church is in transition. I not only needed this but will forward to parts of family it will bless. God bless you in your storm.
Betsy – I so understand the pain involved in church transition. It’s so foundational to who we are that starting a fresh brings new layers to your storm. Praying for your family as you are drawn to His will for your next steps.
Love it. Love it. Love it!!!! Love your words, and I love that song. I recently began my day singing “This is the Day that the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it”. And what a difference it has made.
Thank you so much, Madeline – joining you now in This is the Day the Lord has made. I have the song from childhood in my head. 🙂
Jen . . . perspective is SO important, especially when we are in the middle of that storm. Thank you for this aspect of Jesus’ loving-ness–welcoming ALL His children, even the ones who continue to struggle with the “Why???”. That pastoral picture of smiling, quiet children at Jesus’ feet may be what it looks like when our hearts’ default is to praise through the storms, but it is not yet my default. The transition of your “Pound. Pound.” through “Pound. Cry. Praise. Pound.” to Praise. Praise. Raise a Hallelujah.” is SO powerful . . . thank you for this perspective and praying blessings for your son and family.
Thank you, Susan.
I’m continuing to look to Him for perspective because mine never comes close to all He has in store.
Hallelujah! Amen!
Please help me realize the melody in my heart is of good and deserving and the feeling of discernment and darkness will forever leave my heart.
In Jesus mighty and powerful name, we pray that the darkness flees. Satan has no place where He is present.
much love to you, Jackie.
Amen! Thank you Jesus! Thank you for the message and the messenger!
Precious blessings to you, Olivia!!
Have a wonderful week.
This testament to singing and praising came perfectly timed. Our son is a young adult and still our boy. We are devastated by the news that metastatic stage iv melanoma has returned. My husband and I are reeling. Psalm 77 is the exact description of our souls, we feel so helpless and have the same why questions. We wake each morning thinking it is a nightmare and then it isn’t. Thank you for the encouragement and direction. Singing will also help “get it out” physically.
Oh Jan –
All the air just got sucked out of my lungs as I read your son’s diagnosis. I am sure that reeling and the devastation you describe is an understatement and while I can’t possibly begin to have any words to say that will chance his medical future, know that the women of incourage are here praying for some sort of peace that only He can give. I am so very sorry your family is walking through this nightmare. Jehovah Jirah, Jehovah – Rapha – come Lord, be near to our sister. xoxoxox
Thank you for sharing this. I needed to hear this much today. I don’t like to ask for prayer for myself, I love praying for others. This is so timely. I need you Lord every minute of every day. “I fight to praise in the middle of my pain, because HE IS THE SAME, YESTERDAY, TODAY, & FOREVER. He already knows all things. My Hope and Trust in Him in this season of anxiety, pain and the unknown. \o/
Yes, BC!! Echoing this with you!!
Beautiful truths you have shared. Music is what has carried me as well through the difficult times of life. Music has schooled my soul in remembering WHO GOD IS and how I can TRUST HIM. I will be sharing this with a group of women is lead called God’s Waiting Room…..moms who are having to trust the Lord with adult sons and daughters on hard journeys. Thank you.
I’m so honored that you will share this words with your group. Thank you for stepping forward into leading what sounds like such a beautiful and much needed group. I know it doesn’t come without much sacrifice and we are grateful for you.
Jen,
Years ago when my aging dad was put into psych hospital for the second time I couldn’t take it. The next day I took my computer found Stephen C. Chapman on You Tube. I danced & sang in the kitchen. Praising God helped calm my weary nerves & soul. Now one of my favorite songs to listen to & recite is Greater Vision’s “Start with Well Done”. It is my anthem for why I volunteer & work hard in a Covid unit at hospital. Praising God in the midst of storms is what helps to calm us & brings our focus back to Him.
Blessings 🙂
Oh Beth – isn’t it amazing how the Lord uses music as His specific mark of remembrances during our journey? It’s such a wonderful tool to remind us of those times and to help us when we don’t have the words.
Dear Lord, and His Blessed Mother, thank you for the many beautiful blessings in my life. Please give my heart hope in this time of trouble. Please give me strength. Please bless us one more time with your infinite mercy I know you have a plan for us, but please help us now…
MIL – while I don’t know your exact circumstances, I am echoing your praying and standing with you in agreement as you cry out for Help to our Lord and Savior.
Oh how I needed this. Thank you
You are so welcome, Tina. Many blessings to you today. xoxo
What a beautiful blessing to be a part of this sacred space today. Amen.
Thank you, Ingrid. It has felt sacred to me too as I read requests from our sisters.
In one word Covid! It has hit me twice and now my daughter and husband are symptomatic. I’m done with it! Satan needs to crawl back in a hole somewhere and leave this daughter of a King and her family alone!
Yes, Marilyn! Let’s kick Satan to the curb on this. I am with you. He is done messing with His sisters.
Oh, friend, my heart sings with you and for you. Songs of lament. Songs of sorrow. Songs of thanksgiving and praise. Your honesty and wisdom, your faith and your faithfulness to Jesus are just what my heart needed. I love you.
Love you, friend. I know you can relate as you’ve walked your own challenges these past few years but celebration is ours as we round this corner. xoxox
I absolutely LOVE that song! That and Battle Belongs have been my anthem songs lately as I pray over my adult daughters’ attitude about God especially the one raising my grandson. I went forward just this Sunday and laid my burden down once again (I do tend to pick it back up when I know I shouldn’t). Thank you for encouragement while going through a battle. We cannot see the other side but we know Who is there on the other side and with us now.
Wow! Not only was this beautiful & honest, (as you obviously are inside & out!), anointed and encouraging for any or everyone, it felt to me as if it were coming straight from my heart also – except I envy your piano playing talent & I sing all the time to The Lord, but not gifted to sing! Our Navy (15 years) Veteran son’s lovely wife of ten years had decided she no longer wanted to live the military life and left him two years ago with their two precious 8 & 6 yr. old beautiful sons to further her own career (also unsaved even though I tried lovingly to teach her about Jesus and still pray for her!). Devestated our whole family plus he had two heart wrenching breakdowns, was medically discharged and still hasn’t been allowed to see his boys for these 2 years. He walked away from Jesus at age 13 yet doesn’t understand why God wouldn’t save his marriage and help him now about the boys! We have received so many “devestating” calls from John III (after not hearing from him for almost a year), but I continue to praise God for keeping him alive! (Have prayed for your son!) Had a mammogram last week, biopsy scheduled for next Friday. Still try to encourage others with cards as always over the years which I have loved plus that is Jesus’ way! Amen!? Thank you so much for sharing this! Have read it over & over and do it! All the Glory to God!
Paula – My momma heart is broken on your behalf but I hear your heart still declaring God’s goodness amidst such devastating times. Thank you for persevering and praying and standing in the gap on behalf of your family. I will be praying for your biopsy this week. Please let us know how it goes.
blessings,
Jen