Praising God In the Highs and Lows

 

Life is like a roller coaster, throwing us curveball after curveball. One day it can make you feel like you’re on top of the world, and the next it can hit you square in the teeth and knock you flat. Through it all, though, one truth remains: God is worthy of our praise in every high and every low. 

When life is good, it’s easy to lift our hands in gratitude. We see God’s blessings clearly through answered prayers, open doors, new opportunities, and moments of peace. In these seasons, praise comes naturally. We can see this in passages like Psalm 100, where the Psalmist says in verses 1-2, 

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (NIV). 

But even in these times, we must remember that our praise isn’t just for the gifts, it’s for the Giver. Praising God when life is bright builds a foundation of trust for the darker days to come.

Then come the moments when life feels heavy, when prayers seem unanswered, and the road ahead is unclear. These are the moments that test our faith. Yet even here, God is near. Take a look at this passage from Habakkuk: 

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines. . . yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” - Habakkuk 3.17-18 (NIV). 

Praising God in the valley isn’t about denial of pain, it’s a declaration of trust. It’s choosing to believe that God is still good, still faithful, and still working all things for our good even when we can’t understand or see it (check out Romans 8.28). 

Praise changes our perspective. It shifts our focus from what we lack to who God is. When we choose to praise through tears, through uncertainty, through trials, we invite God’s peace to guard our hearts. Praise doesn’t just honor God, it transforms us. 

Whether you’re standing on the mountaintop or walking through the valley, lift your voice. Thank Him. Worship Him. Trust Him. Because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and He is worthy of praise in every moment. Take encouragement from the Psalmist:

“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips” Psalm 34.1 (NIV).