Music lovers will support the notion that there's a type of music to suit every mood, but in the instances when we have to actively take part in the creation of music - singing and becoming the instrument ourselves instead of passively listening - vocalising our feelings is often seen as an activity reserved solely for joyous occasions.
Kirk Franklin's hit gospel song Why We Sing from the record-breaking Kirk Franklin and the Family album contains the following words which originate from His Eye is On the Sparrow: "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free".
Here the lyrics pair singing with positive feelings and experiences, but singing can be the solution when we're feeling sad too. Although in reality, it can be the last thing that we feel like doing during times when we're feeling down or low in on energy, once we get started we can often find ourselves surprisingly uplifted.
If you're in season where praise feels hard, why not take time to reflect on these verses.
1 Chronicles 16:9 - Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Psalm 40:3 - He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Psalm 59:16 - But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 96:1-2 - Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Acts 16:25-26 - About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.
Romans 15:9 - And, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name."
1 Corinthians 14:15 - So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
Ephesians 5:18-19 - Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
