It is early September and another hot, humid morning. I am watching my beautiful “Runners” dunk and play with exuberance during their morning bath. Runner ducks do not take long swims in a pond or float down a river…but they DO enjoy a good splash party around a fresh tub of water! I watch them take turns hopping into the tub and then out again to flap their wings and preen their feathers.
Runner Ducks have eyes on the sides of their heads so when they want to look up or down, they have to tilt their heads. This posture makes it look as though they are asking a question. What would they ask me: “Do you want to play? Do you have any snacks? Why do your “feathers” change every single day?!” I don’t know what a duck thinks…but I still love to imagine!
I imagine/see that my ducks are praising the Lord while they are splashing and playing around the tub. “Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150) They are just so happy to BE. They live in moments of joy and express it honestly and with thanksgiving, as God intended. They do it every day. Every season. No matter what.
If my ducks express joy no matter the season or situation (now I am imagining my duck tilting her head), “Why shouldn’t I?” It’s so automatic to praise in response to an answered prayer or something exciting or worth celebrating. Praise and glory and honor to the One from whom all blessings flow!
But can we do the same when the seasons change and we are not celebrating? Can we still praise Him when we are disappointed, confused, hurting and in pain?
If our praise depends on our circumstances, then our faith is situational. I don’t want situational faith. I want real, deep, comforting, solid faith. I want faith that depends on the goodness of my God, not the goodness of my situation.
The only way I know how to experience praise through pain is to keep my eyes on the cross, literally. Jesus took ALL our pain so that we could live. Then I will live for Him, no matter what.
I do not for one moment want to minimize how badly it feels to suffer and grieve. But I do want to help you move forward through it. He wants more for you. You won’t stay “stuck” and in pain when you look for His love and grace and mercy and hope. It is there. Always.
Grab hold of Him and give Him praise! When you can honor and praise Him through your struggles, your praise is a sacrifice to Him. It is a discipline that He recognizes and rewards by strengthening your faith. You will find peace in a faith that gets you through, no matter what.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Heb. 13:15
“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1
