Praise God Anyway

Praise God Anyway is the theme in one of the thirty-eight lessons in Susan Kerr's devotional "Intersections of Grace" (available on Amazon #ad)  where she introduces the accronym PGA. Praise God Anyway (PGA!)  In her study, she references the confinement verses in Acts listed at the bottom of this post.  There are more examples in the Bible, a few are noted below along with relatable questions for yourself.  

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name." - Psalm 63:3-4 (KJV) 

In Habakkuk 3:17-19, he is suffering because his garden and cattle are not producing enough to eat.  Even so, the prophet praises God anyway.  Could you praise even if you have no food, lost property, unable to achieve goals or other types of profit?  Instead, should you consider the home, family, and blessings you do have and be thankful for those?

Job 1:2 shows that even though Job has lost his wealth, family, health and is wrongly accused; he may have become depressed however, he refuses to abandon God and praises Him anyway.   If you are going through illness,being lied about, or suffering the loss of a loved one - could you praise God anyway?  Can you be grateful for your past and look toward Gods future plans for you?

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV) 

Psalms 57 was composed by David (the slayer of Goliath and future king) when he was tired, sacred, and living in a cave. However, he praises God anyway.  Should you praise God anyway when you are afraid, depressed, or feeling alone?  Would things turn around for you if you look at what you have, where you have come from, and what joy could be there for you if you just praise the Lord?

In Acts 16:25-36, Paul and Silas are in chains within a prison for refusing to ignore their calling of God.  Even so, they sing praises to God anyway.  Would you praise God anyway if you were unjustly confined, lost your job, or your candidate did not win the election.  Instead could you consider the freedoms you do have and be grateful for those?

PGA!