Have You Ever Stopped to Think about It?

I am going to ruffle some feathers this week, I just know it… & honestly, I’m okay with that. Truth is truth & truth is what will actually bring us true blessing… so, it is absolutely worth it.

I have talked about this before, & like a lot of things I repeat blogs on, it’s worth talking about again… mostly because it is so easy to slip into worship that isn’t actually worship..

How is your worship? Have you ever thought about that?

I know, for most of my life, I honestly never really gave it a second thought.

I sang the songs in church, I prayed before meals, I went to church. OF COURSE I was worshipping… but was I?

You see, there is an important distinction between real worship & well, not real worship.

Just Repeating Words on a Page & Never Really Letting It Reach Your Heart

The first easy mistake is regurgitated worship. I talk about this type of thing when I mention prayer with vain repetitions.

It’s basically when you maybe know all the words to a song or the little prayer poem & you just regurgitate it without ever stopping to think about what you’re singing/saying.

You know the words. You sing/say the words. But your heart just isn’t really in it.

And I don’t mean to say you need to FEEL it… I mean to say–are you actually directing those words TO Him? As if praying them to Him? Telling Him how grateful you are, praising Him? Or just saying the words without actually considering Him listening to you at all?

Is it just regurgitated? Or is it true worship?

Do You Really Have to FEEL It in Order to Feel Like You Can Worship?

The next type of worship I mentioned is emotions-based worship. Now, this is NOT saying that it is wrong to be super emotional when you worship, just that your worship should not be centered around or dependent upon how much you’re “feeling” it. This sort of goes along with my recent post: “True Rejoicing Does Not Have to FEEL Happy.”

I remember I saw a video online recently, where a worship leader mentioned how he often gets asked how he can lead worship on days where he is just not feeling it at all & having a rough day or a bad attitude.

His answer was surprising, but so real. He said that those are actually his favorite days to lead worship, because it forces his perspective to shift in those moments. He goes from feeling grumpy or discouraged to bowing his head & saying, “God, You are worthy & deserving despite however I’m feeling right now.”

If you don’t feel pumped up… if you don’t feel joyous… if you don’t feel like it at all… are you willing to stop yourself & pray that same thing? “Lord, You are worthy & deserving no matter how I may be feeling right now”?

True Worship Takes HEART

But TRUE worship takes heart. It’s a heart posture that makes it worship… not the words you say, not the songs you sing, but a heart that bows to the King of kings, Lord of lords, no matter your circumstances or feelings.

I remember through many a difficult dark season of my life, coming to these moments where I realized that even though my life wasn’t working out so well, or at least how I would crave it to be… that He is GOD & I am not… that He has a plan… that He knows what He’s doing… that He is always working… that He will never waste my struggles… that He made me… that He sees me… that He alone is worthy to be praised… & that no matter what I was going through or what I was feeling could ever change that about Him… even if I didn’t “get” it.

Is your worship like that?

Do you say the words without ever letting it touch your heart?

Do you withhold it if you’re not in the mood?

Or do you worship Him because He alone is worthy of it, come what may, no matter the circumstances? Bowing your heart to Him & lifting Him up in praise?

Not JUST in word… not just in song… but in all of your LIFE?

How Is Your Worship? Regurgitated, Emotions-Based, or True?

Does your life, your daily moment-by-moment reflect a heart of worship to the One True God, Maker of Heaven & Earth?

He is worthy to be praised! Even on your worst day!

How is your worship? Regurgitated… emotions-based… or TRUE?

Next time you find yourself praising & worshipping Him in song, word, or deed… take a second to think about it… to assess where your heart’s at… to see whether you need to readjust how you approach worship before an Almighty, all-deserving God.

Shine HOPE by thinking about your words & actions of worship, directing them to Him in your heart, not just regurgitating… not just when the feelings feel right… but all the time, everywhere, every day, because it is truly what He deserves.

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

***He is waiting for you… will you come?:***

***(Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; John 14:6)***

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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Moonlit Moss Scarf, Handcrafted in India!

Create safe, fair-paying jobs for women in India when you shop the Moonlit Moss Scarf. This cozy Moonlit Moss Scarf from India has grey-blue hue with shimmering thread woven throughout the design. Each Artisan-made scarf is handcrafted using a soft viscose material.

***Purchase this scarf to help create safe jobs and fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in India.***

***SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!***

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Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!