The Power of Worship
Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional, and this blog is not intended to provide medical advice. The experiences shared here are personal and do not capture my full perspective on mental health or related issues. If you are struggling with mental health concerns, please seek guidance from a licensed professional or trusted healthcare provider.
Hey guys,
The other day I was at home thinking about the future and started to get anxious. I started thinking about how uncertain things are, how the price of everything is rising, and the nationwide challenges so many are facing. The worrying kept me up and finally around 1am I decided to get up and turn on some worship music. I worshipped until the heaviness lifted, which, to be honest, took about 2 hours.
Ever since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of worship. Not just the kind that happens in church on Sundays, but the kind that changes lives, shifts atmospheres, and breaks chains.
I want to share something with you that I don’t talk about often. When I was a young adult, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder and a Dissociative Disorder. This wasn’t during a time when I had strayed from God—I was deeply committed to church, involved in ministry, and seeking after Him with all my heart. (I’ll probably do a separate blog post about the intersection of church, mental health, and church hurt soon.)
But when I got this diagnosis, my entire world turned upside down. I didn’t understand it. My family didn’t understand it. My church community didn’t understand it. And to make it worse, my psychiatrist—who was very vocal about being against God—told me that I would struggle with this for the rest of my life.
How Terrifying.
Of course, I cried.
Of course, I prayed for healing.
Of course, people laid hands on me and tried doing deliverance sessions.
Of course, people with zero mental health background had all kinds of opinions about what I should do.
And of course I was constantly blamed for the mental health challenges I was facing.
People blamed me, but God did not, He remained gentle, compassionate, and provided for me during this time.
Although I loved God and was active in my faith, the reality was that years passed, and I still wasn’t healed. The episodes were intense, and I felt like I was stuck in this battle with no way out. Then something strange happened.
Worship as Medicine
During my manic episodes, I noticed that if instrumental worship music played, it would almost immediately send me into a peaceful sleep. If I was in a depressive episode and praise music was playing, the weight of heaviness would start to lift.
At first, it felt coincidental, but over time, I realized: this was real. Worship was doing something to me that medication couldn’t do.
So I leaned into it. I didn’t just listen to worship—I wanted to be a part of it. I started learning how to worship. It started with me slowing realizingg it was ok to lift my hands during worship. Then I started to move my feet a little bit. Eventually, I did something crazy and decided I wanted to learn how to praise dance and joined a team led by a pastor who held weekly lessons. Eventually, we began traveling, praise dancing across several states.
And as I poured myself into worship—not seeking healing, not striving for a miracle, but simply drawing close to God—I realized something:
The episodes had stopped.
I went back to my psychiatrist, and to her shock, she said,
"Wow, it’s like the disorders are completely gone. You’re in remission."
I was in shock.
She was in shock.
My pastor? Not at all.
I’m not saying this is how everyones story goes, everyone’s journey isn’t different. Even when worship doesn’t change a situation, it changes you from the inside out. Remain hopeful, God will see you through.
This part of my story reminds me of the story of David and King Saul. In 1 Samuel 16:14-23, Saul was tormented by a distressing spirit, and whenever he was overcome with anguish, David would play the harp. As David worshiped, the torment would leave Saul, and he would find relief:
"Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." (1 Samuel 16:23, NIV)
There is something powerful about worship—it shifts atmospheres, brings peace, and invites God's presence in a way that changes everything.
Worship Breaks Chains
This experience also taught me that worship has the power to break chains.
It’s not just about singing songs on Sunday. Worship is an invitation into the presence of God—where healing, peace, and freedom dwell.
Isaiah 61:3 says:
"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."
I know what it’s like to feel the weight of heaviness. To sit in deep darkness and wonder if it will ever lift. But I also know the power of a garment of praise. I’ve lived it.
Exodus 23:25 says:
"Worship the Lord your God, and His blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you."
The Bible shows us over and over again that worship isn’t just about what we give to God—it’s about what He releases in response.
Prison Doors and Open Gates
One of my favorite examples of this is in Acts 16:25-26:
"Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed."
Paul and Silas had been beaten, stripped, and thrown in jail—for preaching the gospel. If that were me, I would’ve been panicking. Crying. Begging God for release.
But what did they do?
They worshiped.
And their worship was so powerful that:
The ground shook.
The chains fell off.
The doors flung open.
And not just for them—but for every other prisoner around them.
Their worship broke the bondage not just in their own lives but in the lives of others.
And that’s the power of true worship.
A Heart Posture, Not Just a Song
Worship is more than just music. It’s a heart posture. It’s the way we live, the way we surrender, the way we respond to God’s presence.
So what does a lifestyle of worship look like?
Obedience – Choosing His way over ours.
Spending time in His Word – Letting truth shape us.
Praying for our enemies – Even when it’s hard.
Reverencing the Lord – Honoring Him in all things.
Prioritizing His agenda over ours – Saying “Yes” even when it’s inconvenient.
When we live a life of worship, bondage breaks.
Heaviness lifts.
And God’s presence fills the space where darkness once lived.
Your Worship is a Weapon
If you’re walking through a storm—whether it’s mental health struggles, grief, spiritual warfare, or just feeling far from God—worship is a weapon.
When you don’t have the words, let worship speak for you.
When you feel stuck, let worship shift the atmosphere.
When you’re weighed down, put on that garment of praise.
Because I’m living proof—it changes everything.
Does this Blog Post Resonate with you?
Drop a comment here or on social media, send me a message, or share this with someone who needs it.
