Louder in the Valleys

I don’t know about you, but I have no problem praising God when life is good. When everything’s falling into place, doors are swinging open, and I feel like I’m walking in favor—oh, you better believe I’ll be in my car worshiping like I just won a Grammy. Hands up (one at a time, because safety), eyes closed for just a second at a red light, singing off-key but with my whole heart.

But what about when life isn’t so good? What about when you’re staring at a mountain that won’t move, when prayers feel like they’re hitting the ceiling, when anxiety and doubt start creeping in like uninvited guests? What about when you’re in the valley?

I get it. Praising God in the valley feels unnatural. It feels forced. It feels… unearned. Like, “God, I don’t have a victory to celebrate right now. I’m barely holding it together. What exactly am I supposed to be praising for?”

But let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way: praise is more powerful in the valley than it is on the mountaintop.

Worship is a Weapon

Let me take you back to a time when I was struggling—really struggling. Life wasn’t just hard; it felt impossible. I was drowning in depression, wrestling with anger, and wondering if I’d ever actually be free from the things weighing me down. And to be honest? Praising God was the last thing I wanted to do.

But one night, after an especially rough day, I turned on worship music in my car like I always do. Not because I felt like worshiping, but because it was just habit at that point. And something happened. As the lyrics filled the car—songs about God’s goodness, His faithfulness, His love—I started crying. Then I started singing. Then I started believing the words I was singing.

Nothing in my situation changed in that moment. But I did. My focus shifted. Instead of drowning in what I felt, I started standing on what I knew.

I knew God was still good.

I knew He was still working.

I knew He hadn’t abandoned me.

See, praise isn’t just about celebrating when things are great. Praise is about declaring the truth of who God is even when your circumstances don’t reflect it yet.

Your Praise is a Problem for the Enemy

You ever notice how the enemy loves to get in your head when you’re struggling? He’ll whisper lies like:

“God’s not listening.”

“If He really loved you, He wouldn’t let this happen.”

“You’ll never get through this.”

But something happens when you praise God anyway. It shuts the enemy up.

I mean, think about it—what’s more frustrating to the enemy than a believer who refuses to be shaken? He throws everything at you, and instead of breaking down, you lift your hands and say, “God, You are still worthy.”

That’s what happened with Paul and Silas in Acts 16. They were in prison, locked up unfairly, and instead of sulking, they started singing. And what happened? An earthquake. Chains broke. Doors flew open. Praise made a way where there was none.

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1 (NIV)

Praise is an Act of Faith

When you’re in a valley, praising God is an act of faith. It’s saying, “God, I don’t see a way out, but I know You are still the way.”

And listen, I know it’s not easy. I know sometimes you’d rather sit in the struggle than sing through it. I know sometimes worship feels like a whisper instead of a roar.

But praise anyway. Even if all you can muster is a “God, I trust You,” say it. Even if you’re crying while you do it, do it. Because the same God who walks with you on the mountaintop is holding you in the valley. And He will bring you through.

And when He does? Oh, you better believe that car worship session is going to hit different.