struggling with worship! many questions!

Musician4Jesus said:

First off I know that true worship is a lifestyle, that it's not just singing; However the aspect of worship I am struggling with is the, for lack of a better term, the 'traditional' part of it, singing/praising.

Jesus said to worship in spirit and in Truth (John 4:23-24); to me this means there are two parts of the worship, the emotional part of it (which I see as the 'spirit' part of it) and understanding the theology behind what you're singing, that whatever you're singing has to line up with the Word of God, and the lyrics of a song have to based on Scripture (this is the 'in truth' part of worship).

I don't have a problem with the 'worshiping in truth' aspect of worship as I analyze everything, it is the 'spirit' (emotional) part of worship I struggle with. It's very hard for me to express emotion w/worship, and there are many reasons as to why. I I don't think being emotional in worship is bad/sinful. However if you only focus on the emotional part of worship, you will desire the 'emotional high' over God, and if you do that, you've committed idolatry. This being said, I don't think God wants us to express no emotion in worship; if he didn't want us to express emotion with worship he wouldn't have given us the ability and capacity to express emotions.


I am reserved and introvert, so I am contemplative and quiet with worship.

The other reason I have a difficult time expressing emotion in worship, is because worshiping God involves intimacy (in the spiritual and relational senses) and it requires vulnerability as well. There have been many times in my life when being intimate and being vulnerable/transparent has resulted in a lot of pain, sorrow, and rejection; as a result I don't see how intimacy can be a good thing.

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Not sure how to respond, but perhaps this will be useful or provoke some thought. Silence can be a part of the worship of God. It can be very intimate too. Outwardly it is not emotional, and certainly it is not any sort of outward display.

Musician4Jesus said:

First off I know that true worship is a lifestyle, that it's not just singing; However the aspect of worship I am struggling with is the, for lack of a better term, the 'traditional' part of it, singing/praising.

Jesus said to worship in spirit and in Truth (John 4:23-24); to me this means there are two parts of the worship, the emotional part of it (which I see as the 'spirit' part of it) and understanding the theology behind what you're singing, that whatever you're singing has to line up with the Word of God, and the lyrics of a song have to based on Scripture (this is the 'in truth' part of worship).

I don't have a problem with the 'worshiping in truth' aspect of worship as I analyze everything, it is the 'spirit' (emotional) part of worship I struggle with. It's very hard for me to express emotion w/worship, and there are many reasons as to why. I I don't think being emotional in worship is bad/sinful. However if you only focus on the emotional part of worship, you will desire the 'emotional high' over God, and if you do that, you've committed idolatry. This being said, I don't think God wants us to express no emotion in worship; if he didn't want us to express emotion with worship he wouldn't have given us the ability and capacity to express emotions.


I am reserved and introvert, so I am contemplative and quiet with worship.

The other reason I have a difficult time expressing emotion in worship, is because worshiping God involves intimacy (in the spiritual and relational senses) and it requires vulnerability as well. There have been many times in my life when being intimate and being vulnerable/transparent has resulted in a lot of pain, sorrow, and rejection; as a result I don't see how intimacy can be a good thing.

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Jesus says three types of things about truth:

First "I am the truth" - from this I learn that the truth is lived.
Second "The truth will set you free" - Since the scripture also correlates Spirit and Freedom, this is helpful to the topic.
Third "Thy word is truth" - this relates to the scripture.

I was looking at a passage earlier today 2 Corinthians 12:9 indicates that boasting of our weaknesses results in Christ's power resting on us. So intimacy is to humility much like surrender is to trust.

You may wish to seek God on the setting free part of truth, so you can live that and make a weakness a strength through Him.

Sometimes "worship" seems to me to be a psych up. Let's whip ourselves up into a religious frenzy. What does God desire? Love and obedience mean more than a lot of words. We can worship just as well in the quiet of our hearts as with our hands in the air.

Musician4Jesus said:

First off I know that true worship is a lifestyle, that it's not just singing; However the aspect of worship I am struggling with is the, for lack of a better term, the 'traditional' part of it, singing/praising.

Jesus said to worship in spirit and in Truth (John 4:23-24); to me this means there are two parts of the worship, the emotional part of it (which I see as the 'spirit' part of it) and understanding the theology behind what you're singing, that whatever you're singing has to line up with the Word of God, and the lyrics of a song have to based on Scripture (this is the 'in truth' part of worship).

I don't have a problem with the 'worshiping in truth' aspect of worship as I analyze everything, it is the 'spirit' (emotional) part of worship I struggle with. It's very hard for me to express emotion w/worship, and there are many reasons as to why. I I don't think being emotional in worship is bad/sinful. However if you only focus on the emotional part of worship, you will desire the 'emotional high' over God, and if you do that, you've committed idolatry. This being said, I don't think God wants us to express no emotion in worship; if he didn't want us to express emotion with worship he wouldn't have given us the ability and capacity to express emotions.


I am reserved and introvert, so I am contemplative and quiet with worship.

The other reason I have a difficult time expressing emotion in worship, is because worshiping God involves intimacy (in the spiritual and relational senses) and it requires vulnerability as well. There have been many times in my life when being intimate and being vulnerable/transparent has resulted in a lot of pain, sorrow, and rejection; as a result I don't see how intimacy can be a good thing.

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Worship is not just saying, "Praise God" and "Hallelujah" and singing songs and hymns in church. Many people do it for show so that others can see that they are worshiping God. These days, I am very reluctant to show my faith and worship of God in front of others. I don't try and "feel" anything when I am in church singing the songs and hymns.

I find that worship is also fellowshiping with other Christians, hearing a good sermon, private fellowship with God, sharing Christ with others, doing deeds of kindness to my neighbors, offering prayer for healing for someone at my gym who has injured themselves. I don't have any emotional feelings along with these things. I just do them because I enjoy it. If I know that I am doing the things that glorify Christ in some way by being a representative of Him, showing the same grace toward others as He has shown to me, then I know that I am truly worshiping Him.

I happened to get on to Youtube last night and discovered a preacher whose message really built me up. I said, "Thank you Lord for that!" To me, that is true worship. God has provided me with a good wife, a reliable motor vehicle, a part-time job to supplement my retirement pension, a comfortable home, and good food to eat. When I just say, "Thank you Lord for your blessings to me", that is good worship. Then I know why I am worshiping the Lord. I am always thankful to Him for the guy who presented me with the gospel in 1966, enabling me to choose Christ as my Saviour, baptising me with the Spirit, using me to bless others with prophecy and prayer for healing. By thanking Him for those blessings, I am truly worshiping. I don't have to go around shouting "Hallelujah!" and "Praise the Lord" everywhere I go to show others that I am worshiping Him. He knows that I have a worshiping heart, and that is all He wants to see.

We have to be careful how we conduct our worship.
Deuteronomy 12:30-32

OldWiseGuy said:

We have to be careful how we conduct our worship.
Deuteronomy 12:30-32

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Interesting how you initially phrased that!

Emotional highs are taxing. Peace and joy however are delightful.

chevyontheriver said:

Interesting how you initially phrased that!

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I hope I didn't gore anyone's ox.

OldWiseGuy said:

I hope I didn't gore anyone's ox.

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You would have, but you edited it and now it's pretty well gone. I'm not going to bring it up again.

chevyontheriver said:

You would have, but you edited it and now it's pretty well gone. I'm not going to bring it up again.

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My original comment wasn't aimed at Catholics. If you thought it was that's on you.

I often edit my comments for clarity, etc. Another scripture would be "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof".

Worship, as you said, covers a lot of things. God made all of us different, which together as the church works in His image. Some people are more expressive or emotional and others are more introspective in their worship. If worship is what is happening, both are correct.

If someone is only focusing on some aspects and resentful of the others (or looking down on the worship of believers who are different, which is a problem churchwide and very evident in these forums) then that is a problem. Worship as God made you in all the forms and it's all good. What that will look like will be different for different believers. Don't worry about how you express during singing/praising. Be concerned with the focus of your heart during that time.

God makes it plain that we are to grow as Christians. That means a process involving time. Not everyone is in the same place in their growth. On any given Sunday, if 100 members are present, 100 different sermons are preached.

OldWiseGuy said:

My original comment wasn't aimed at Catholics. If you thought it was that's on you.

I often edit my comments for clarity, etc. Another scripture would be "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof".

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For you: https://dwightlongenecker.com/religious-fakes-and-real-dinosaurs/

chevyontheriver said:

For you: https://dwightlongenecker.com/religious-fakes-and-real-dinosaurs/

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I like it. Thanks.

Joh 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
and according to the word...
1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

this is true worship..

I hope it is fine I share this video in here, which describes some points about worship music.
I agree about the last part which is about moving the focus away from yourself and to Jesus Christ, the Saviour. Though more reminding yourself about what He did, drawing all attention and focus on glorifying Him! Being thankful in His presence. As it isn't about you and how you feel, it is all about Him!

This is a reminder for all of us. As it is easy forgetting this in a world where all center is set on "Me".

chevyontheriver said:

For you: https://dwightlongenecker.com/religious-fakes-and-real-dinosaurs/

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I read it as well. Thank you for posting. Very interesting. Coming from the theologically evangelical (not politically) realm, I did understand his comment "Likewise, my meeting with some Evangelical Christians over these last few weeks reminded me that I have more in common with them than I do with all the materialist religious people in my own church. They may not believe in the sacraments, but they believe in the Virgin Birth, the incarnation and the bodily resurrection." From the opposite end, I've often felt the same about Catholics.

WolfGate said:

I read it as well. Thank you for posting. Very interesting. Coming from the theologically evangelical (not politically) realm, I did understand his comment "Likewise, my meeting with some Evangelical Christians over these last few weeks reminded me that I have more in common with them than I do with all the materialist religious people in my own church. They may not believe in the sacraments, but they believe in the Virgin Birth, the incarnation and the bodily resurrection." From the opposite end, I've often felt the same about Catholics.

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We, the believing Catholics and the believing evangelicals have much more in common than we do with those Catholics or Protestants who don't believe in the virgin birth, the miracles in the Bible, the empty tomb because of the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Which is a tangent to this thread about worship, even if it does need saying from time to time. Because worship needs a context of faith, and we together are the ones who have the context.

Like prayer, I believe worship is an individual thing based on our individual relationship with our heavenly Father. As the Father he knows all his children inside out and wants us to be ourselves not a copy of somebody else. I struggled with this for years but eventually found the real me. We all have our different natures and personalities and these differences display themselves in the way we praise, worship and pray. As long as we are doing it from the heart it is ok with God. He can tell if it's real or just someone paying lip service. One of the ways I found of 'feeling' the worship when I felt disconnected from it was to sing the same tune as everybody else but in tongues. That way it sort of took 'me' out of the equation and made it feel more spiritual.