Yesterday was a hard day for me. I will be moving to Arizona in six months, which is incredibly exciting, but also really hard at times. It’s exciting because I’ve never been more certain that God is telling me to do something. This is what I’ve always dreamed of doing, but it’s also been difficult is some ways. Texas is the only home I’ve ever known. The majority of my close family and friends live within 250 miles. Everything I’ve worked for my entire life feels like it’s nowhere else but here.

So, as I said before, yesterday was one of those hard, uneasy days. After wrestling with my emotions all day, I had a 15-minute drive home by myself. I was confused and frustrated; my heart was hurting and I had no idea what to do. Then God said to me, “Remember when I told you to write your blog about the power of praise? Why don’t you put that into practice now?”

I’ve known for a couple of weeks that I would be writing this blog post. From the moment I took it on, I felt like God wanted me to write about the power of praise. When we lift up praise to God, we invite Him to be with us right in the middle of our situations.

Psalm 22:3 is frequently quoted in our churches: “But you are holy, O you who inhabits the praises of Israel.” It’s so good to know that God inhabits the praises of His people. I love the entire chapter of Psalm 22 because it displays David’s response of praise in a time of intense trouble.

“I am scorned and despised by all! Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads.” (Psalm 22:6–7)

“My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls … Like lions they open their jaws against me.” (Psalm 22:12–13)

Even when David could choose to curse and doubt God, he understands the power of praise. He first remembers how faithful God has been to him in the past.

“Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you.” (Psalm 22:9)

“I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born.” (Psalm 22:10)

And then, beginning in verse 22, he begins to praise: “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, I will praise you among your assembled people. Praise the Lord all you who fear him! ... For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help” (Psalm 22:22–24).

Praise reminds us of the faithfulness of God. It silences the mouth of every enemy. It’s easy to praise God when things are going well and we feel great, but it’s not so easy when times are hard and our hearts are heavy. Still, when things get tough, that’s the best time to praise God, because praise shuts out every fear and welcomes the presence of God. His presence brings peace, joy and comfort.

So, last night as I drove home, the Lord reminded me of the power of praise. I began to think about who God is, and how faithful He’s always been to me. I began to speak these things as I was thinking them: “God, You are so good to me. Thank You for everything You’ve given me. You’re my protector and my provider. You never, ever fail. I know that You love me. I know that You are for me. I know that if You’re telling me to do this, it’s because it’s my destiny and it’s the best place for me to be. You’ve promised to never leave me or forsake me, and I know You always keep Your promise. I’ll know that You will guide my every step. I am so blessed. Thank You.”

All of a sudden, in an instant, there was no more fear, no more pain and no more uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. All of those feelings instantly turned into joy, peace, comfort and excitement. I could breathe again.

I don’t know where you are today, but if you’re in that same place of fear and hurting, put your focus on God. Think about all the times the Lord has been faithful to you in the past. Focus on scriptures that declare God’s faithfulness, like Psalm 22:24, and speak them out. Remember how good God is, then praise Him from your heart. The power of praise wasn’t only available to David in the Bible—it’s real for us, here and now. Praise invites the very real presence of God. God wants to be right next to you in whatever you’re walking through today. Will you invite Him in?