Living By Faith Blog

Not feeling it

What should you do when the worship leader starts a song whose lyrics say things you don’t feel — lyrics which you can’t sing from the heart?

For example, if you are feeling fear — how can you sing “it is well with my soul”?

Or if you are feeling nothing towards Christ — how can you sing “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”?

Or if you are feeling bitter and disappointed — how can you sing “Great is Thy Faithfulness”?

Should you not sing?  Should you just go through the motions?  What should you do?

Some wise counsel

Someone once told me that when I am not feeling the words, I should go ahead and sing the words — but turn the words into prayers asking God to change my feelings.

So if the words are “it is well with my soul,” sing those words — but turn them into a prayer —

Help me so see You so clearly that it IS well with my soul.

Or if the words are “worthy is the Lamb who was slain,” sing those words — but turn them into a prayer —

Open my eyes to see Your Worth, crucified Savior.

Same with “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”  Sing those words — but turn them into a prayer —

Forgive my bitterness — help me trust Your great faithfulness in my life.

Try that with this song

Chris Tomlin’s “Lay Me Down” can be a battle to sing, because it has some challenging lines —

I lay me down I’m not my own,

I belong to You alone,

Lay me down, lay me down.

Hand on my heart this much is true,

There’s no life apart from You,

Lay me down, lay me down.

Those words are a challenge to sing —

• if you are holding on to sin, a grudge, or some bitterness
• if you are seeking your life outside of Christ
• if you are pursuing your agenda, not His

So —

Turn the words into a prayer

Ask Him to help you believe there’s no life apart from Him.

Ask Him to give you a taste of His life — the life that comes from beholding Him.

Ask Him to help you lay down your agenda, your bitterness, your grudges

Try this — and let me know what God does —

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N2SbY3dJuM

What did God do?

I’d love to hear — leave a reply below.  Thanks.

If you know someone who would be helped by this, email it to them using the “share” button below — or use the other buttons to share it on your favorite social media.

If you would like to receive a Saturday email summarizing the week’s posts — subscribe here.  (I will only use your email address for Living By Faith Blog communications — and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)

And here are some related posts you might find helpful —

• What To Do When You're Not Feeling Worshipful (Worship In Spirit)
• Another Powerful Step To Help Your Worship (Worship In Truth)
• How Can I Worship God? (with video of "Jesus Messiah")
• How To Worship BY The Spirit ("The Power Of The Cross" Worship Video)