“Praise” by Elevation Worship was one of my most listened-to songs in 2024, according to my Spotify Wrapped. Its upbeat melody and meaningful lyrics never fail to lift my mood, especially when sung during Sunday service. The song opens with:
“I’ll praise in the valley
Praise on the mountain (yeah)
I’ll praise when I’m sure
Praise when I’m doubting”
Psalm 42 encourages us to praise God regardless of our circumstances, including setbacks and disappointments we may encounter in life. When I think about praising, the first few things that come to mind are giving thanks to God and singing praises to His name, as His sovereignty reigns in all situations.
I knew praise was something I needed to do, but deep down, there were always questions about my intentions. Was I genuinely praising God purely out of gratitude, or was I just seeking His help in difficult times? This became a personal challenge, as there was a disconnect between my actions and what I truly believed. Thankfully, over the past few months, God has gradually revealed to me what it truly means to praise Him through trials.
One thing I have learned about myself is that as situations become more challenging, I enter a ‘tunnel vision mode,’ where all my thoughts start to revolve solely around my own struggles. This makes it harder for me to have meaningful conversations with others, as my mind becomes weighed down by worries. During that period, I also began to lose sight of what God had done for me in the past and failed to appreciate what He was currently doing in my life.
Through God’s revelation of my own behaviour, I have begun to understand that praise is much more than just singing or giving thanks—it’s also about showing appreciation. Taking the time to acknowledge God’s goodness allows me to shift my focus beyond my struggles and step out of that tunnel vision. It enables me to see that God is still at work, such as by placing people around me to support and encourage me. This is something God has shown me can be done while I am still in the valley; I do not have to wait until the situation is over to show appreciation for what He has done.
I have also learned that God never wants us to lose the joy that comes from knowing Him. Romans 15:13 says: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Praising God through all circumstances invites His presence, which brings peace and reassurance, and no situation is too difficult for God to handle. God wants us to rely on Him so that we are not overwhelmed by every challenge, protecting both our peace and well-being. I am beginning to realize that there are times when I try to control every situation so much that it is affecting my mental and physical health. But God has been teaching me that I do not have to carry that burden on my own.
Life will bring about its ups and down, and it’s up to me to learn to rely on God’s strength to overcome every season. God is showing me that it is not only the outcome that matters but also the journey with Him. Through every challenge, He is refining our hearts, moulding our hearts to trust Him more deeply, and reminding us that allowing His presence to work in us is crucial in our walk with Him.
– Chadd Lim
Thrive Church 