"We need to hear praise coming from outside ourselves or we won't remember that we deserve it." Barbara Sher, career counselor and best selling author
Fans at our athlete's games are willing praisers. They clap and hoot when there is a splendid play or goal with no constraint or timidity. Every so often there is a willing-praise shout out encouraging a player after a missed goal or infraction ..."You're okay - it's all right - hang in there!" Praising on the down side can be difficult and may take some practice.
David, the man after God's own heart, recounted the down side of life pleading for God's protection:
"I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word." Psalm 119:107
Then he took the next step - he asked the Lord to honor his praise offered despite unwanted circumstances . . .
"Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws." Psalm 119:108
Willing praise leads to living God's way more completely. We must guard against being hot in prayer and cold in praise remembering that as we willingly praise we will experience the increase of Christ in and around us.
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:20 KJV
Blessings . . . as you praise willingly today.
For more go to the BEHIND THE BENCH blog today titled "ANOTHER LOOK AT WILLING PRAISE".
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