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. Continue reading →