Praise is more than just singing a hymn at church, it is a lifestyle choice. It is the way of a thankful heart, an attitude for a happy life, a positive mental focus.
We all like to receive praise for our accomplishments, creativity, and decisions. Maybe too much! Have we become addicted to likes, smiley faces, and thumbs ups? Perhaps, like me, you struggled to gain praise from a withholding parent which transitioned into people pleasing.
Instead of depending on other people for our praise, we can recognize that our self-esteem comes from the one true source—God. It’s complicated to receive and live up to others’ praise. But God can show us a better way. James 1:17 says, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
Just a shift in our focus creates a flow of positivity from the inside out. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8.
Imagine being free of the judgements and opinions of others, getting your rewards instead from the Author of life itself. Our behavior will mirror what we fill ourselves with. Luke 6:45 explains, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”
Living a Lifestyle of Praise
So, how do we live a life of praise? Here are a few suggestions:
- Practice gratitude and start a gratitude journal
- begin each day with prayer, thankfulness, and joyful willingness
- show love and patience to family, friends, and coworkers
- encourage at least one person everyday
- be kind, helpful, and friendly to strangers
- notice, with awe, the beauty of nature and its creatures
- sing, dance, and laugh
- praise God for who He is and thank Him for His gift of grace.
Throughout the year, I will post a variety of thoughts about praise. Occasionally, I will get some help from my brother-in-law, Dr. Marc Brown, Assistant Professor of Music and Worship at the School of Church Music and Worship at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Check out this YouTube video of one group he leads, A Cappella.
Finally, we know God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), so make your praise cheerful too. In fact, Psalm 150 tells us to make some noise!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that breathes
sing praises to the Lord!
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