I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me;he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:1-4.

Praising the Lord at all times is sometimes difficult.

Have you ever felt cheated? I have. There are several times in my life that I felt like I deserved better, or deserved a life without pain. When my heart has been overwhelmed, I have asked God, Why? Why is this happening? What is Your purpose in this pain? Why can't I catch a break?

Have you been there? Are you there right now?

Life is a constant pursuit of growing closer with the Lord; sometimes it's soaring like eagles and sometimes it's going through fiery trials. Regardless of what we are going through, God still deserves to be praised.

Some problems are ordained by God.

Think of Job's loss, Joseph's betrayal, Jonah being swallowed by a whale, and Hannah's barrenness. Each story is implicitly different, and yet, there is a common thread. God proved His power, sovereignty, and provision in their lives.

Life without pain can be dangerous. Pain gifts us with an important warning of injury, disease or danger. Feeling pain, whether it is physical or emotional, can save us from further injury, if we are aware and willing to change and seek God's help.

Maybe you're soaring like an eagle right now, or maybe you're enduring a fiery trial - but in both situations, God has not changed. God is still on the throne and He has complete control. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and in our suffering, we fellowship with Him. As difficult as it may be, try to trust God through the pain, He will carry you. Today, there is strength when you praise the Lord at all times, in the good and the bad.

This devotion was written by Angela Overton for "More To Life Today."