God never says to be sad, or miserable, or irritable, or to feel sorry for ourselves. He only ever says to praise Him and thank Him and to call on Him. He is faithful and good.
Our moods and feelings come and go, but the Lord is steadfast. His mercies are new every morning. His faithfulness is great. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
When He tells us to praise Him and thank Him in all circumstances, I don’t believe He’s telling us to deny our struggle. I don’t believe He’s telling us we’re wrong or in trouble for our feelings. I don’t believe He’s giving us a rebuke.
I believe He’s giving us the answer. I believe He’s telling us how things work. I believe He’s showing us how to walk through this world with all its trials and bad moods and pains and struggles.
He created the heavens and the earth. He knows all our needs. He is the way. He is truth. He is life. He never changes. (John 14:6)
Not once does He tell us to be sad or depressed or miserable. These moods and seasons may come. We see this in kings and prophets like David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, and plenty of others.
But it’s in these times we desperately need to cry out to the Lord. We need to call on Him.
It’s in these times we desperately need to do what He says to do — what He says over and over and over and over and over again throughout His word:
Praise His Name. Worship the Lord. Proclaim His wondrous works.
He alone is God. He created the heavens and the earth. He created me. He created you.
He’s giving us the answer. He’s giving us the answer when He says to thank Him. He’s giving us the answer when He says to praise Him. He knows how things work.
Praise Him. Thank Him. Call upon Him. He is able.
