When It's Hard To Sing God's Praises

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? (Psalms 137:1-4)


Facing discouragement, despair, depression, oppression, and grief requires knowing God and maintaining a strong relationship with Him. Many people overlook the spiritual undercurrent beneath these struggles—a pull from hell that seeks to draw us under. Without strong faith in Christ Jesus, a close relationship with Him, and minds fixed on Him, we can slip into discouragement, depression, and deep despondency. If left unchecked, this undercurrent can destroy us. John wrote that life was in Jesus Christ and that His life was the light of humanity (John 1:4). Therefore, as Christians with Christ's Spirit within us, we should recognize evil and avoid it. A common mistake is relying solely on a church or pastor to hear from God. We must not let anyone or anything hinder our personal relationship with our Creator. Keep your heart and mind on Christ, and He will give you strength.