Today I gave my four cats some catnip after church. Have you ever watched a cat when you give them catnip? To me it is amazing to see the vast differences and reactions they have. Sometimes you have a cat that gets silly and playful. While other times a cat may just mellow out and are calm and relaxed. And then sometimes the cat may go crazy and start climbing walls almost literally. But as the catnip kind of kicks in so to speak, the cat almost always settles down and seems like it is at a peaceful state. They are relaxed and calm, sometimes tired. That is like worship and prayer. When you are worshipping and in prayer it isn't going to be a uniform reaction, one size fits all type of thing in your life or in that moment. Sometimes you feel joyful and feel His presence deeply, but sometimes you could be sad or even angry. But even in those moments, you still choose to worship and pray. You might not always have the same reaction as the person sitting next to you, but you have the reaction the Lord knows your soul needs. 

I have had moments when I am worshipping and I have been angry at God for some reason or another. I’ve been sad or heartbroken before. And I've been joyous before worship and prayer. But after I have started to worship or pray, I start to feel a sense of release or calmness around my soul. Sometimes the reaction isn't even what I expected, just like watching cats with catnip. It's what is needed for your soul. Even when we don't feel like worshipping or praying, that dedication to just do it is so good for our souls. We get the benefits He gives us by bringing some peace even if it is only for a little while. And the more we worship and pray the more beneficial it is to us. 

I know that some days are harder than others and sometimes it is hard to come to Him when you are broken. He tells us, come all who are weary and I will give you rest. He tells us what we need to do on the hard days. We will get the peace we so desperately need when we worship and pray. 

Give me the strength to say it is well with my soul.