Praise Music Is a Spiritual Anti-Depressant
We recently talked about some of the benefits of praise and praise music and how we should always start with praise. This week I’d like to continue discussing some of the benefits of praise music and of praising God. Another benefit of praise is actually for us not for God. Praise music has the ability to make us feel better. It can calm us down when we are anxious or angry. It can bring joy and cheer us up if we’re depressed or upset. Another thing it can do is alleviate fear. Overall, it really improves our general sense of well-being. Listening and singing to praise music is a great way to get through a hard time.
I jokingly said to my church small group members one time, “Praise is like spiritual Prozac!” In all seriousness, I really do “use” it like that from time to time. And…it works every time. There may be times when I have to spend longer listening to and singing along to praise music, but it always changes my mood and perception.
How it helped me
I can remember a specific time in my life (one of the lowest points in my life) when I used praise like a spiritual anti-depressant. It felt almost like I couldn’t exist without it. I listened and sang along to praise music morning, noon, and night (if I wasn’t listening to encouraging podcasts). I had songs downloaded to my phone, and I used my YouTube playlists. In fact, I had to recharge my phone battery several times a day because I played praise music and listened to podcasts so much! I remember I was even tanning at a tanning salon at the time, and I would turn their music down and put my phone with my praise music at the top of the tanning bed near my head so that I could even listen while I tanned.
The praise music was continuously playing. I would turn the radio down in the car and listen to praise music on my phone while driving (before Bluetooth days). Additionally, I would carry it around and listen as I cleaned the house, did the dishes, or did laundry. I would take it outside and listen as I worked in the yard. Basically, I listened to it nonstop. I felt almost as if I would have a meltdown or go into a full-on panic attack if I didn’t have praise music playing. As a result, it really helped me get through a very dark time in my life.
Biblical examples…
I think some of our friends in Biblical times also understood the benefits of praise music during difficult circumstances.Many of the Psalms are written as praise music to God during tumultuous times during David’s life. David was constantly praising God in any and all circumstances, especially in the bad times. In 2 Chronicles 20, we can read the story of Jehoshaphat, a King of Judah, and how he was under attack from 3 different armies (Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites). Jehoshaphat was terrified, but he worshipped God anyway and even sent out singers ahead of his army. As soon as the praise music started, the Lord caused the 3 armies to start fighting against each other defeating themselves.
As another example, in the New Testament, Paul and Silas had been severely beaten and thrown into prison. Acts 16:25 says, “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.” In a very dire moment in their lives, they chose to use praise music to get through it.
Praise music really is a spiritual anti-depressant! Praise helps us feel better!
I will tell you that it’s not always easy to praise when we don’t feel like it…but we still need to do it. In fact, it’s probably the last thing we’ll want to do. I think that’s why the Bible says in numerous places that it’s a “sacrifice of praise”.
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)
Other verses using the phrase “sacrifice of praise”: Jeremiah 33:11, Psalm 50:14, Psalm 107:22, Psalm 116:17, and Amos 4:5.
Sometimes listening to and singing praise music is a sacrifice. We have to do it even when we don’t feel like it, and then later the feelings (and the want-to) will follow. This article in Psychology Today discusses how clinical studies have actually proved that our behavior can shape our emotions (i.e. feelings follow actions). Isn’t that so very nice of secular psychologists to prove Biblical concepts! 😉
Praising God helps us overcome discouragement, depression, sadness, and despair—God’s presence comes in and saves us from these things. It will shift these emotions from bad to good.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5 (NIV)
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again–my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5 (NLT)
“Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11 (HCSB)
“Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for once again I will praise him, since his presence saves me and he is my God.” Psalm 42:11 (ISV)
Praise helps when our spirit is heavy. We can put on praise like we put on clothes, and it will actually make us feel lighter.
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 (KJV)
Praise is pleasant and enjoyable.
“Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.” Psalm 135:3 (NIV)
“Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” Psalm 147:1 (NIV)
Praise will shift our focus from our current situation and emotions to God which will then bring us perfect peace. We will look to the problem-solver instead of the problem when we praise.
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
Lastly, a good point to remember is to praise the Lord at all times—regardless of our feelings or circumstances.
“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1 (KJV)
When researching praise, I stumbled upon some insights about praise with which I wholeheartedly agree…
“Praise benefits the believer emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Praise helps us to be overcomers. It helps us to move into the act of worship. It connects our spirit man with God’s Spirit. Praise helps us prepare our hearts for the Word.
We must get into the habit of praising. It unites the body of Christ in ushering in the Spirit of God to do his miracles and wonders. Our praises can create the right atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to move in. This also creates an atmosphere for God to answer our prayers.
It can help us to enter into the presence of the Lord and help others to enter into the presence of God. The process of worship is designed to carry our praise and worship into heaven. It prepares the minds of the congregation to be ready to experience the move to God.
Praise prepares us to hear and recognize the voice of God. Personal prayer, praise, and worship create an atmosphere for us to learn the voice of God. Knowing the voice of God it’s an important step for the believer.
Believers are in a constant battle and spiritual warfare. Praise prepares us to fight in spiritual warfare. It can be a spiritual weapon that helps us with spiritual deliverance, drive out demons, and close the passageway for demonic activities. It is designed to be a spiritual offensive and defensive weapon.
Praise and worship will cause us to move into intercession for ourselves, ministries, cities, communities, and the world. Develop the attitude of praise and worship as part of your daily walk with God. It will strengthen you and it will make such a difference in your spiritual walk.”[i]
Go and Tell My Child to Let Me Go was a book written to encourage parents, grandparents, and any caregivers who have had a loved one incarcerated. Blondella James Brown shares her personal struggles and battles living with an incarcerated child who was raised in a Christian home and attended Christian schools. Her insights here about praise and how it helps us, especially in negative circumstances, are inspiring.
Take a Practical Step to Use Praise Music as a Spiritual Anti-Depressant:
This week’s practical step is super easy…
Whenever you have negative circumstances and/or negative feelings, listen to and sing along to praise music. Play some CD’s (for those who still have them!); download some praise music; listen to some streamed praise music via music apps, internet, or satellite radio stations; create/play a YouTube or Spotify playlist of praise songs; or listen to some Christian radio (although not all of it is praise music).
You can also follow some of the practical steps for praise listed here. Listen and sing along to praise music until you feel better, and then listen some more! You may even find that there are seasons where you will need to play it continuously as I did. I promise, you will be able to tell a difference. Praise music really is a spiritual anti-depressant!
How has praise music helped you to feel better? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are rude, disrespectful, sarcastic, divisive, offensive, or off-topic. By posting on this site you agree to my Comment Policy.
P.S. If you liked this post, you might enjoy receiving new posts delivered right to your inbox each week! Sign up here.
If you have benefited from this post or if you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward and share this post with them via the sharing links below! “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
[i] Brown, Blondella James. Go and Tell My Child to Let Me Go. Houston, TX: Strategic Book Publishing and Rights Co. 2014. Print.
*Update: Originally posted 11/3/2015
