Worship Now! || Forever Praise Him

So here we are at the end of the first month of 2026. For some, it has been an amazing time, and you are flying high and happily into February. For others, well, let's just say your method of propulsion into the next month is not flying but more like crawling, and happy might be a stretch for you. And I don't think it matters where you live; it has been and will continue to be unseasonably freezing outside, which may not help our outlook! 

So, what can I say that would be helpful for those not flying into February? Nothing. Absolutely nothing I say will magically change where you are or give you the strength for February and beyond. Sure, I could offer some nice encouragement, and I would love to do that for all of you, but sometimes it just grates on our nerves because we feel like the person offering it just does not understand what we are going through. And that's a valid, very human thought. But not very helpful. And an opportunity for Satan to play with us. Our thoughts, emotions, and circumstances are the breeding grounds for his attacks on us, and he and his cohorts are the quintessential opportunists! What is needed here is not encouragement but exhortation! 

My exhortation for all of us is to PRAISE him in all things, all events, the ups, the downs, and even the I just don't care anymores. Is that it? To just praise him. Apparently, yes. Psalm 42:5 says: Why are you so downcast my soul? I will put my hope in God and keep praising him, my help and my Savior. Praise is the Biblical prescription. It's not a magic formula, but you cannot stay down AND praise him at the same time. Praise shifts our mind, spirit, and attitude. Go search the Scripture and see how often we are told to praise him in all things. God knew we'd have days (months) like this and has given us the remedy. Is it easy? Not gonna lie about this, not always. But that's where Hebrews 13:15 comes in and says: "Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God,.." Because it is in that sacrifice, when we go against our thoughts and emotions, and choose to acknowledge God as sovereign, even over those downcast times, that we yield ourselves to his will and ways and he causes our perspective to change. He is our help in all things. ALL THINGS.

Had a bad day? Praise God.

Had a bad month? Praise God.

Got sick this month? Praise God.

Your plans fell through? Praise God.

Kids driving you crazy? Praise God.

So cold you can't think? Praise God.

Worried, scared, tired? Praise God.

I could go on but you get the point. We know that Scripture exhorts us in all things to PRAISE GOD. Does the praise change what happened? No, it is history now, but in the giving of praise to God, we are changed. Will it be easy? Not always. Is it our natural first response to unpleasant things? No. Does it make logical sense? Well, if you see your life in light of eternity and who God is and what he has done for you, then absolutely, YES! What we have gone through and will go through is literally, no matter how big or all encompassing, "the small stuff" of life before eternity.

So, I exhort you (and myself!) to drag your soul, mind, and spirit into the presence of God and worship him with praise.   May God bless you abundantly into this new year. 

If you need confidential prayer, you can contact us at https://www.equipcareministries.org/contact

To learn more about Equip Church | Academy | Care or for more info please visit us at https://www.equipcareministries.org/

Write us via email at: equipcommunitycare@gmail.com

Follow on Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/equipcareministriesFollow

on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/equipboston

Sign-up to Audit a FREE Self Care Management 3 Credit College Course from Chesapeake Bible College & Seminary at https://chesapeakebiblecollege.com/tyc-112-study-offer/