Praise Swallow Problems
“The worship was a surrendering of my own effort to control and a lifting up of the name of the one who can and will open the path and the doors for me. My praise at that exact moment did not change the outcome of my problem. It did, however, change how I chose to relate to the problem as my current momentary affliction was swallowed up by praise.”
- Kara Palmer
I don’t consider myself an anxious person. In fact, I believe I am a recovered chronic worrier. Before my “worry” recovery, I loved the imagery from the quote by Glenn Turner,
“Worrying is like rocking in a rocking chair, it is something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”
Given the current climate of our society, how do we stop that back and forth worry craze when we are troubled by life? How do we center ourselves and know that this movement gets us nowhere?
The answer is simple. It’s Jesus.
The other day, I had a really important phone call. One that I prepared diligently for the moment the opportunity was given to me. However, an hour before the call, I found myself crash preparing as I did for a final back in my college years. I was so nervous and anxious that it sent me into a panic. I knew none of the last-minute preparations was going to get me anywhere; however, I felt the need to do more. To be more. To prepare more. It was like I was sitting in that rocking chair, anxiously creating activity that was going to make me feel prepared but I missed the crucial part. I was prepared. I had already prepared. At that moment I did not trust myself or God.
When I realized this, I stopped the proverbial rocking and started worshipping. I mean arms outstretched, favorite song blaring, fist-pumping, praising his holy name. The good stuff. As I worshipped, I fully surrendered. As I did, the anxiety, worry, and panic were swallowed by my praise. They were absorbed by God.
Psalm 103:1 says:
“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”
My praise was an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty and power in this situation. The worship allowed me to surrender my own control and a lift-up of the name of the one who can and will open the path and the doors for me. My praise at that exact moment did not change the outcome of my problem. It did, however, change how I chose to relate to the problem as my current momentary affliction was swallowed up by praise.
When I look back on this day, I will always remember his presence flooding my flesh as my problems melted in praise. And as my hands raised to him, my worries melted away as quickly as they came. This reminded me of the power of resting in him and the peace that comes with it. As we continue during these unprecedented times, I hope this reminds us all to not take the seat in the rocking chair of worry. And when we are tempted to take that seat, the answer is not more preparing or more of anything. The only answer is fully surrendering to him and praising his holy name.
