How would you finish this statement?
Nothing we do is more powerful or life-changing than _____________.
Some would suggest taking better care of ourselves, or setting goals that include a plan for completion, or training our minds to focus on the positive. And the argument could be made that all of these actions create beneficial influence in our lives.
But according to author Stormie Omartian, “nothing we do is more powerful or life-changing than praise”[1]. Others would likely agree with her, having cited numerous benefits themselves:
- Prayers of adoration calm any fear, lift the spirit, and fill us with indescribable joy [2].
- Praising God reduces our cares, levels our anxieties, and multiplies our blessings [3].
- Continual praise is what changes the emotions, lifts the darkness, offers hope, frees the mood, and blesses God so that evil is driven out. It changes everything [4].
- When we choose to practice adoration anyway in the midst of whatever we are feeling, our words lift us over that barrier and into a deeper connectedness with God [5].
But how could simple words produce such life-changing results? Psalm 69:30 offers a clue:
“I will praise the name of God with a song;
I will magnify him with thanksgiving” (ESV).
To magnify God is to make larger our view of him and his attributes, which lessens our view of the problems we face. The more often we focus on God, the more our faith thrives, and that in turn leads to less worry and fretting.
For example, see if these statements don’t boost your confidence in God for what you’re facing right now:
- Praise God he is all-sufficient, all-knowing, and all-powerful. He has everything under control (Isaiah 55:11; Romans 11:33-36; 1 John 3:20b).
- Praise God he is forever faithful, always working out his overall plan, always fulfilling his purpose (Lamentations 3:22-23; Job 42:2).
- Praise God he is continually gracious and good, full of love and compassion (Psalm 145:8-9).
The longer we gaze at him, arrayed in such glorious attributes, the less insurmountable our problems become.
And with an unknown Puritan of old we too can affirm:
“When I think upon and converse with Thee, ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, and ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding every moment with happiness” [6].
That is the power of praise.
But the enemy of our souls is well aware of this power. He’ll do everything he can to keep us from developing the habit of praise. What might help?
Habit-stacking. Have you heard of it? The practice involves adding a new habit to some action that’s already a fixed routine.
For example, we might add more praise to our days while making the bed in the morning, completing some household chores, commuting to and from work, walking from place to place, waiting for the microwave, chopping fruit or veggies.
What routines are established in your life? Which ones lend themselves to spending a few minutes praising God for who he is and what he’s done?
Another possibility for adding praise to our lives comes from C. S. Lewis: “Make every pleasure into a channel of adoration.” He suggested several ideas to get us started: a beautiful mountain valley, delicious food, a great book, or a piece of music [7].
And you know what happens as we praise God for these blessings?
One’s mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun [8].
Isn’t that lovely imagery?
And is there any better place for our mind to be?
[1] Values for Life, 160.
[2] Kristine Brown (https://www.ibelieve.com/christian-living/prayers-of-adoration-to-fill-your-heart-wonder.html).
[3] Suzanne Dale Ezell, Values for Life, 160.
[4] Arnold Prater, Bonding with God, 78.
[5] Sara Hagerty, Unseen, 151.
[6] From The Valley of Vision, Puritan prayers and devotions compiled by Arthur Bennett, 1975.
[7] Quoted by Timothy Keller in Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, 197.
[8] C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, 89-90.
Art & photo credits: http://www.pickpik.com (2); http://www.canva.com; http://www.freeimageslive.co.uk; www,pxhere.com; http://www.canva.com.
Discover more from From the Inside Out
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
From the Inside Out 
Habit stacking is a wonderful suggestion. I do practice some of that now, but I can definitely stack more and stack ’em higher! Thank you, Nancy, for your inspiration. 🙂
You’re welcome, Nancy. Praise God for HIS inspiration–we’ll be habit-stacking together!
:))
Oh Nancy, yes please to habit stacking! He is worthy of our praise when chopping veggies, making the bed, unpacking the groceries, and writing our posts.
Thank you so much for this reminder. ’Praising my Savior all the day long …’
Thank you for adding that wonderful old hymn to the conversation, Linda. Singing our praises to God while taking care of chores–that’s sublime habit-stacking right there!
Love this post, Nancy. So agree that habit stacking helps.
Thank you Manu for your testimonial that habit stacking helps! I’m working on building the habit of habit-stacking into my routines! 😁
Beautiful! Praise looks so good on those who know how to rest especially when the storms are raging.
Amen, my friend. You reminded me of a quote I ended up not using in this post: “The greater your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God in your life, the more likely you are to praise Him in the storm”—Matt Chandler. And that IS a beautiful sight.
Indeed!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Thank you Carolyn for another worthy song to sing as we habit-stack! ‘Might be fun to compose some additional, personal verses too. I pray the blessings flow the next few weeks while your daughter is there to visit!
This is so true. I know when I practice gratitude and adoration, everything else falls into place. Takes my eyes off my ego and aligns my heart with God. Great post!
Amen, Jean. SO many positive outcomes result when we’re continually expressing praise and gratitude to our Heavenly Father!
I do love that concept of habit-stacking, Nancy! As I reflect upon that, it’s something I’ve been doing more and more in my daily routines, and it truly does keep me in a closer and more constant relationship with the Lord.
Blessings always!
Thank you for adding your testimonial, Martha, affirming the potency of this strategy. And thank you for your benediction of blessing. I happen to be sitting out on our deck at this moment, with blue skies overhead, a few birds serenading, a cool breeze offering refreshment, while surrounded by freshly-washed greenery. (We’ve endured some wet, gray days lately.) I am indeed blessed! Happy weekend to you, my friend! I trust Danny is feeling more like his old self, and you two can enjoy outdoor blessings of your own!
Thank you so much for asking about Danny. He is doing better day by day, and I will be writing an update on my next blog. All those were postponed, too, because of our computer virus. We do hope to enjoy this weekend together.
Praise God for the good news about Danny! But a computer virus?! SUCH a frustration–I’m so sorry. Yes indeed–kick back and enjoy the weekend, my friend!
When I walk our dog first thing in the morning or late at night, I can’t help but offer up praise. The solitude, skies, and natural beauty around me are easy reminders of a power greater than me. It brings me indescribable comfort to have those regular one-on-one “conversations” with God.
Thank you for sharing your great reason to own a dog, Dave! I too experience awe and wonder outdoors, especially while sitting on our deck–a place where the surrounding natural beauty does remind me of my wise, creative, powerful, and gracious Heavenly Father.
I love the picture of running back up the sunbeam to the sun. To see God in the details of life takes effort and intentionality, but it does “lift us over the barrier and into a deeper connectedness with God.” There’s something magnificent in seeing our Lord in the details, valuing His purposefulness, recognizing He doesn’t waste anything. This was a salve to my soul today, my friend. Thank you.
AMEN to your observations and insights here, Dayle. I’m thinking that as we run back up the sunbeam to the sun, a bit of God’s radiance clings to US! Praise God this post offered salve to your soul today!
Great reminder of the power of praise. This must be why so many devotional programs for reading the Bible and the liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer all include Psallms. We can’t praise God enough!
Amen to that! And he’s built into the practice of praise so many benefits for US. Isn’t that just like him? I’ve said it before, but the reminder is worth the reviewing: Our God is so gracious. We try to bless him, and he turns right around and blesses us!
**Psalms
I confess that while I welcome the beautiful Spring and Summer seasons with it comes much yard work that I am responsible for at both Mom and my properties. I get weary, but then I remember to praise the Lord that my health is so good that I am able to do these physical tasks. So many my age are fighting for good health, so I make an effort not to take my good health for granted. Praise the Lord for taking care of me…and my Mom!
Kudos to you, Cheri, for taking care of yourself so you can still do the yardwork for TWO homes! But I wish you could find someone to at least take care of the mowing for you!
I have worked it out that my nephew is going to mow the fields for me! That certainly helps!
Hurray–I’m glad for that!
That is great!
Samuel L. Keifer
Wonderful post!!! Very uplifting…thank you!
And thank you Linda for your faithful encouragement. I greatly appreciate you!
Nancy,
Praise is a beam of light in the darkness. I hope you have more Jesus-days. In Christ,
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Thank you, Gary! Praise God for the Jesus-days!
Have a lot.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
I SO agree with this. When my first husband died, I found in moments of despair if I would begin to praise the Lord, peace would come. God dwells in our praises – and His presence dispels the sorrow and gloom.
Praise God “His presence dispels the sorrow and gloom!” Thank you for your affirmation of this truth, Barb, especially given the grief and pain of losing your beloved husband. That is no small matter! And neither is the power of God’s presence.
[…] One Strategy to Change Your Life […]