Devotional - The Power of Praise

Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you! Colossians 3:17 (TPT)

Message:

In the dictionary - to praise means to:

• express warm approval or admiration of someone or something.

• express one's respect and gratitude as an act of worship

Does your child or loved one struggle to receive praise? 

It is one thing to recognise we are all sinners in need of a Saviour and Holy Spirit help, but it’s another thing when someone’s self-esteem is so poor, that they don’t (yet!) believe they are worthy of any praise being given.  

Any praise given them causes them to feel a conflict inside. 

Judy, one of our CSS members explains it like this: It goes something like:  ‘This person is praising me for something I have done but I am not worth being praised. They must know that, therefore I think they aren’t telling the truth when they praise me...I don’t trust them anymore....I am going to reject their insincere praise by being very difficult for the next few hours just to show them the truth about myself - that I am actually stupid and bad’.  

This can be incredibly frustrating for parents, teachers, and carers!  

However, there are ways to reach through to these hurting hearts.  

What about using the word ‘notice’ rather than ‘well done’ or ‘that was good’.  

For instance, ‘I noticed that you made a big effort to control your temper then’.  

This is a very neutral way of expressing praise.  

It involves no judgement at all, either good or bad.  

However, it does affirm your relationship - you have seen and noticed them and what they are doing. 

Affirming that relationship of love and acceptance is ultimately the way they will learn that they are lovable, and over time enable them to receive praise.  Sometimes it may take years of ‘noticing’, but seeing it happen is totally priceless.  

As we all learn to accept praise may it also be one of our daily patterns to give praise to the One to whom all praise is due. 

Whispers, written by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez expresses the Father’s heart to us:

“Let praises arise from the depths of your soul. Allow them to burst through the dry cracked ground of discouragement and disappointment. Your songs of love and declarations of trust will free you from the shackles that have you bound to an earthly view of your situation.

Praise me in disappointment, because I always have the last word. Praise me in sickness, because I am your Healer. Praise me in seasons of delay, for my timing is perfect. Praise me in difficulties, and my strength will become yours. Praise me when you cannot find the way because you know me—your Way Maker.

When nothing seems to be going right and you feel discouraged and alone, lift your head and let your songs of love pour forth. Sing until the heaviness lifts. Sing until you can feel my refreshing breath upon your soul. Sing until every thought that opposes my truth bows in surrender. Choose to praise me and offer me songs of love and surrender, especially when the enemy is leaning heavily upon you, and you will rise victorious—his head beneath your feet.”

POINT TO PONDER:

How easy do you find it to praise in ALL circumstances and receive praise from others for whom God made you to be?

PRAYER:

“Father God, I thank you, I bless your name, I praise you for all you have done and worship you for all you are. Help me to be sensitive to those who are not so able to receive praise and be conscious of the words I use and how I say things so I may impart a little of how precious they are to me and to you. Thank you, Jesus. Amen!”