When You Don’t Know What to Do
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3, ESV
There are moments in our walk when life feels heavy—so heavy that we don’t know what to do, where to go, or how to even take the next step. I recently found myself sitting at my desk surrounded by everything I needed to accomplish. Devotionals taped and waiting to be uploaded. Others still needing to be recorded. Cookie orders that needed to be prepared and baked. More devotionals waiting to be written. Books stacked and ready to be read. And a long list of “other things” tugging at me.
I felt completely overwhelmed—frozen, unsure of what to do first, or whether I could do any of it at all.
Right in the middle of that moment, a dear sister-friend sent me an encouraging text. You would think that would have stirred me into motion, but instead I just sat there whispering, “Lord, I don’t know what to do.” I picked up the phone to call another sister to confirm dates for an upcoming event, and somewhere in the conversation, the truth spilled out of me: “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Can you pray for me? I don’t know what to do.”
She didn’t hesitate. “Let’s pray right now,” she said. And the very first words that came out of her mouth were, “Father, we give You praise, for You are the lifter of our head.”
Instantly, Psalm 3:3 rose in my spirit: “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
And right there, God met me.
I realized I didn’t need a plan—I needed to praise. I needed to pause and honor the One who strengthens me, guides me, and lifts me when my head hangs low. The moment I shifted my focus back to Him, clarity returned. Peace settled in. Strength began to rise.
Praise brings joy.
Praise brings revelation.
Praise brings healing.
Praise lifts our soul.
On this journey, we face battles daily. There will be moments when we feel drained, discouraged, or overwhelmed. But often, those feelings are gentle nudges from God—an invitation to come back to Him through praise. When we start to worry or try to figure life out on our own, we drift out of alignment, and the enemy is quick to pounce. But praise shuts every door he tries to open. Satan cannot stand in the presence of praise.
When we praise God, we are pulled out of the enemy’s reach and drawn right into the center of God’s presence.
No wonder Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing and to give thanks in all circumstances. Not because everything feels good or looks good—but because God is good, and He has already worked everything out.
Key Takeaways
Praise lifts our soul.
Praise brings direction.
Praise drives out every work of the enemy.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
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