Finding Healing Through Worship

My pastor preached an interesting sermon this past sunday. The theme was “Refilling our Faith,” and the premise was one that we do not like to admit: our life with Jesus doesn’t always become ‘sweeter as the days go by’ as the old hymn says. In fact, at times, despite our best efforts to be pious and devout, if we were truly honest with ourselves and with others, we would have to acknowledge that sometimes our faith just dwindles. Often in day to day life, we just feel an emptiness inside. Isn’t this true?

Perhaps the reason comes from sickness, divorce, {shrinking bank accounts}, loss of job, gas price hikes or a thousand other stresses which come at us from every angle every day. But the bottom line is, more often than we’d like to admit, we feel empty. Our faith, which is supposed to carry us on wings like eagles, doesn’t seem to even be able to lift us off the ground. (Isaiah 40:31)

What is the answer? We can deny it. Wear a mask on our faces and walk around saying, “I’m fine, thank you.” We can memorize a few more bible verses in hopes that a dogmatic habit will relieve the encroaching emptiness. We can seek medication for depression or enter into counseling, both of which have their appropriate place in healing and wholeness. But I would like to suggest that making music a part or our daily devotion, seeking healing through music that is based on the bible can bring about inner peace and hope.

More than two thousand years ago, the psalmist David found that music ushered in deep interaction, even intimacy, with the Lord. Psalm 42; Psalm 62-63. As Psalm 33:18 states, the One who created our hearts truly understands our every need and emotion.

So, when we feel empty, lonely, depressed, we can acknowledge our feelings, confess our fears, cry our tears in the presence of the only One who truly understands. This, in fact, is the only solution which can set us on the road to {wellness and stillness}.

During those times that we become aware of an brokenness in our soul, those are the very times when we need to draw close to God in an attitude of worship. When our faith in Jesus seems to have lost power to motivate us, not to mention move mountains, we can still go to our Saviour as a refuge and a hiding place. I have experienced in my own journey of faith that in these seasons of emptiness, if I can just press into the Lord instead of turning away, I find not only comfort and rest, but a deep sense of safety and serenity.

There are two ways that I personally have learned how to push in even when I feel unmotivated, unworthy, unspiritual. The first is to just continue reading and [meditating the Word of God. When I cannot gather up desire for an intense (or even a simple) Bible study, I open my Bible to a favorite verse, a psalm perhaps, and I read just a few words. Then I allow those words to wash over my spirit, and I pray for faith, for peace, for hope, for whatever I need. The Lord never disappoints. It’s something He has promised – when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

But mostly, the main way that I have learned to press into the Lord, to experience a spiritual connection even when my total being is depleted of energy and life, is through music. I believe that music is one of God’s most precious creations; and our ability to enjoy it – or create it – can be a direct way into His presence.

I have been a pianist and a singer most of my life, and music has become a personal prayer language for me. It has become the easiest way for me to enter into an attitude of worship, and the Lord has used music in my life as a method of delightfully restoring me.

So, the next time you are feeling empty or are needing emotional stability, invited the word of God to minister to you and the presence of God to be in you and around you. Try listening to (or creating if you want) music that is based in scripture.

Jesus offers an unending well of living water. (John 4:14) When we need to “refill our faith” we can go back to the well time and time again and tell Him, “I need more!” Jesus answers, “Come!” Worship through music can be an avenue through which we come to that well.

Sheila Lloyd

Some ideas and expressions were taken from sermon “Refilling Our Faith” by Pastor Brad Selan of Windhaven Church, www.windhavenchurch.com

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