There are days when joy feels effortless, and then there are days when it feels like work. Maybe you’ve experienced that too, the moments when gratitude flows easily and the moments when your heart feels heavy. Yet Scripture reminds us that joy and praise are not tied to life’s ups and downs; they are anchored in the unchanging character of God. That means praise is not just for the good days. It’s a choice we make in every season.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” These words were penned from a prison cell, not from a place of ease. Paul’s joy wasn’t dependent on freedom or comfort; it was anchored in Christ. That challenges me to ask: is my joy tied to what’s happening around me, or to the One who never changes? Choosing praise, like Paul, is an act of trust that God’s goodness is greater than our circumstances.
Malachi 3:6 declares, “I the Lord do not change.” In seasons when everything feels uncertain, this truth is a steady anchor. God’s promises remain, His love endures, His faithfulness never wavers. One way I’ve learned to choose praise in difficult seasons is by remembering the ways God has shown His steadfast love in the past. Writing them down or speaking them aloud turns my heart toward thanksgiving, even when the present feels shaky.
David models this in Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” He chose to bless the Lord not just after deliverance, but even in the midst of danger. That’s what it looks like to praise in every season, not only when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard. I’ve found that when I choose to give thanks in those moments, my perspective shifts. The situation may not change right away, but my heart does.
Acts 16 shows us the power of this choice. Paul and Silas, beaten and bound in prison, sang hymns at midnight. Their praise shook the very foundations of the prison and led others to salvation. Praise in the darkest hours is not wasted. It becomes a spiritual weapon, declaring that God is greater than our chains. Choosing praise in every season is not sentimental; it’s an act of faith and warfare.
When storms come, we can echo David’s words in Psalm 18:2: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.” Life may tremble, but God remains steady. Anchoring our joy in His unshakable character makes our praise resilient through every season we face.
So how do we practice this? Begin by naming three truths about God each day that stir your heart to gratitude. Let Philippians 4:4 be the verse you repeat when discouragement tempts you. And don’t keep your praise to yourself. Share with someone how you’ve seen God’s faithfulness. Joy grows when we give it away.
Choosing praise in every season is both a command and a gift. It’s not about ignoring hardship but about declaring that God is greater than it. And as we choose to rejoice in Him, whether in the light or in the shadows, we discover a joy that cannot be shaken.
Debbie Swindell 