In a matter of minutes, our next-to-last exam of junior year would begin. The room of high schoolers included a few serious students with heads in notebooks, but most of us chatted with one another, just anxious to be done.
“Hey!” cried one friend to a group of us girls sitting together. “Let’s switch one shoe with somebody else for good luck!” Giggles ensued as we tried different looks and different sizes, until each of us sported mismatched footwear.
After the exam, imagine our surprise when we were summoned to the office.
Someone thought the shoe-exchange was a means of cheating. Thankfully our principal dismissed us immediately when we explained our silly scheme for good luck.
Of course, certain shoes—or any other particular piece of clothing–have nothing to do with success. Even those who’ve experienced a triumph or two while wearing a certain hat, jacket, or tie eventually find Lady Luck has left the building.
One high school basketball coach in Indiana wore the same patchwork pants for every game, and his team won twenty-seven times in a row.*
But then came Game #28.
Much more important than a basketball game or even a high school exam, God has prepared us clothing for life. Granted, the apparel he provides is metaphorical and made for the spiritual realm. But it creates much greater impact on our lives than mismatched shoes or patchwork pants.
Perhaps you’re thinking of the armor that Paul described in his letter to the Ephesians, including the belt of truth, the shield of faith, and more.
But our Designer God is ready to provide another article of clothing, mentioned in Isaiah 61:3—a garment of praise.
Now some might wonder, Isn’t that self-serving of God—to offer us a garment of praise so we’ll applaud, admire, and honor him?
Not at all. Just as we enjoy giving pleasure to others through accolades of their character or actions, we find joy in acclaiming God for all he is and does.
Praise takes our focus off problematic people and circumstances, and draws our attention to the One who has brought us through every dark valley in the past, and will continue to do so until our life-journeys are complete.
So what might this garment of praise look like—if it were visible? I’m imagining a velvety-soft, lightweight cloak stretching all the way to our shoe tops and including a hood—for total coverage.
But in order to enjoy the supreme comfort of this robe, we have to get rid of the irritating clothing we sometimes wear:
- The scratchy scarf of negativity
- The constrictive shirt of fear
- The hot collar of anger
- The heavyweight coat of worry
We can’t savor life to its fullest in such uncomfortable clothes as these. In contrast—as research on positivity and gratitude has proven–the garment of praise produces feel-good endorphins, uplifts our mood, and offers hope.
Of course, we have to put it on. Too often we leave home without our praise-cloaks or it slips off our shoulders somewhere along the way.
Perhaps we could tie it on each morning with prayer and check the knot with prayer throughout the day.
Perhaps something like this:
Lord, I thank you for my garment of praise—to keep me aware of your presence, happily occupied with thoughts of your attributes and blessings. Help me to always keep my praise-cloak in place.
Thank you that when I’m wrapped in my garment of praise I can experience your highest joy. May I never leave home without it.
(Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 112:7, 43:4 GWT)
*Kathlyn Gay, They Don’t Wash Their Socks, Walker and Company, 2013.
Photo credits: http://www.wikimedia.org; http://www.flicr.com; http://www.pxfuel.com; http://www.pikrepo.com; http://www.pilist.com.
From the Inside Out 
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Have a great day!
Thank you, Mage1999. I’d be happy to visit your blog!
“Praise takes our focus off problematic people and circumstances, and draws our attention to the One who has brought us through every dark valley in the past, and will continue to do so until our life-journeys are complete.” I re-learnt this important lesson this week, Nancy. Praise (and for me prayer) shifts my focus from problematic people and causes me to seek Abba, the only One who is able to deliver and rescue.
Amen, Deandra! Praise and prayer are a powerful combination!
Nancy, this is a delightful and inspirational message that is so needed at this particular time. I loved the story about mismatched shoes and chuckled over some of the silly things I remember we did as teenagers. Thank you for the remembrance and uplift. Love to you and Steve.
Thank you, Ruth. I was so glad to learn a number of years ago about the research proving our brains don’t fully develop until about age 25. Now we all have an excuse for the silly (and in my case, downright dumb!) things we did as kids. (Insert smiley face here!)
I love the clothing analogies! It’s really helpful to think about those emotional stressors in tangible ways. I also love your explanation that God is not self-serving by instructing us to praise Him. I’ve never thought of it like that before, and you are absolutely right!
Thank you, Ashton. Isn’t our God wonderful–we seek to bless him with our praise, and he blesses us even more in return! Hallelujah!
Amen! That’s so beautifully true!
This part spoke to me: “Perhaps we could tie it on each morning with prayer and check the knot with prayer throughout the day.” Donning the garment of praise is important…not only to remember to praise the Lord for both the good and bad experiences throughout the entire day…but also to remind myself that as messed up as this world is becoming, the Lord is ultimately in charge and He wants me to embrace and renew my faith in Him moment by moment. The praise garment is a powerful tool for deflecting the devil. Wonderful post, Nancy!
Agreed: our praise garments are powerful tools for deflecting the devil–especially in this time upheaval and uncertainty. Thank you, Cheri!
Hi Nancy,
I love the way you weave the everyday into spiritual matters. I have really been thinking of God inhabiting the praise of His people, lately. I really felt like that cloak of praise to be right on. When we praise, sin moves out of the picture and the Lord is present to work. Is it any wonder how Jesus began the Lord’s prayer with putting the Lord in His right place. So many have closed the door of God’s Spirit to work, so believers need to double down on letting the Lord open the doors in praise and worship.
Have a great week.
Gary
Thank you, Gary. I’m with you: let’s open the doors with praise and worship!
Lovely illustrations and a thoughtful post! love it!
Thank you, Jean! Praise God for his inspiration (and for helping me find the illustrations! Insert smiley face here!)
Nancy,
Wonderful blog on wearing praise and always a blessed reminder always to praise our Father God more! Love and prayers to you both, Janet
Thank you, Janet. We can never overdo God’s praise, which means our joy in doing so never needs to diminish! Hallelujah!