Give praise. Those two little words can have great impact.
Praise expresses admiration, respect and gratitude.
Let’s begin with praise of others. The words you speak over people matter. Build them up. Be specific. Add value. Always choose to speak life. When you do, it can help to repair a broken heart, reframe negative thoughts, and confirm positive identity. Be the influence that someone needs. You have the power to help release anyone you come in contact with from a downcast spirit by giving them praise.
Many associate giving praise with worship towards God, often in the form of music. Since our creation, people have used music to express themselves, vocally, and instrumentally. The first human musician to be mentioned in the Bible is a man named Jubal, introduced in Genesis 4:21, but we know that angels are musicians as well. There are verses that indicate that heaven is filled with rejoicing. Luke 19 even says that if we are all silent, the rocks will cry out because He is worthy.
There are various instruments described throughout scripture; some used for celebration, some for battle, with songs written out of lamenting and others out of hope. While various scriptures were originally written as songs, like many of the Psalms, countless more have inspired and been quoted in worship through the ages. Theologically established worship music includes truth about God and truth about you.
Singing is such a unique way to connect with God. It can quiet my thoughts and help to untangle the strings that have me feeling like a mess. Like I said in my last post, songs of praise also provide me the words to pray when I have none. When triggers create chaos in me, I can spend hours singing until my brain is able to form my own thoughts. The songs speak for me until I can speak for myself.
Another way to give praise to God is through how you speak about Him to others. This isn’t about making a convincing argument for why your friend should follow Jesus. It is about attributing everything you are and everything you have to Him. It is about consistently acknowledging out loud that He is good and is good to you. May your love for Him be ever on your lips that you may share it with everyone you meet.
When we praise God, it draws our attention to Him. We become closer, building relationship, affirming, and clarifying who He is. That shift of sight can bring perspective and insight to our situations and our needs. It is not only our response to His greatness but recognition of our position to Him – He is our Creator and Savior. Giving praise recounts blessings and stirs up joy. Giving praise as a community can build faith and solidify our foundation on Christ.
When you choose to give praise to God, you release yourself from a downcast spirit and are instead filled with …
Faith. Joy. Peace. Gratefulness. Hope. Relief. Grace. Mercy. Thankfulness. Identity. Strength. Kindness. Goodness. Self-control. Whatever it is that you were searching for because it is all found in Him.
He doesn’t give us what we need because we praise Him. Praise helps us see that He already gave it to us, even when we weren’t praising.
Finally, give yourself praise. The words that you speak over yourself matter. Be specific. Add value. Always choose to speak life. When you do, it can help to repair a broken heart, reframe negative thoughts, and confirm positive identity. Be the influence that you need. You’ve praised God for everything that He is, now recognize that you are created in His image. I look forward to writing more about self-talk and identity in the future.
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