5-Day Devotional - Day Three

Any Way You Slice It… Be Thankful: Part One Pastor Paul Stieb Day 3: Worship Over Whining Devotional We all have a choice when life gets tough. We can whine or we can worship. Complaining feels natural when things aren't going our way, but it rarely changes our circumstances. It just changes us (and not for the better). Whining keeps us focused on the problem—rehearsing what's wrong and building a case for why life is unfair. Worship shifts our attention to the One who is bigger than our problems. When we choose to praise God in the middle of our mess, something powerful happens in our hearts and in the spiritual realm around us. This doesn't mean we can't be honest about our struggles, or that we should suppress our emotions. God can handle our questions, fears, and frustrations. There’s a difference between bringing our concerns to God in prayer, and letting complaints consume our thoughts and conversations. Worship in difficult times is a declaration of faith. It says, "God, I don't understand what's happening, but I trust who You are." It's choosing to magnify God's greatness instead of magnifying our problems. When we worship, we're reminded that our God is bigger than whatever we're facing. The enemy wants us to stay stuck in complaint mode because it keeps us powerless and discouraged. When we lift our voices in praise, we're taking a stand against fear and doubt. We're creating an atmosphere where faith can grow and where God's presence becomes more real to us than our circumstances. Remember, worship isn't just singing songs; it's a lifestyle of honoring God with our thoughts, words, and attitudes, especially when it's hard. Bible Verse “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.” –Psalm 104:1 Reflection Question In what area of your life have you been more focused on complaining than worshiping? How might shifting to a posture of praise change your perspective and experience? Quote “God doesn't want us to whine. He wants us to worship.” Prayer God, forgive me for the times I've chosen complaining over worship. Help me see You as bigger than my problems and to choose praise, even when I don't feel like it. Transform my heart through worship. In Jesus’s name, amen.