When Praise Comes Easily

Some days, praise just comes easily.

Today is one of those days. I’m writing a few days ahead of time, though, so perhaps by the time you read this post, it will no longer be the case. But for right now, for today, it is easy.

• The sun is shining.
• Homeschool is going beautifully.
• Ministry is running smoothly.
• I not only love my job, but I have had an exceptionally encouraging few days.
• I feel like I have the energy to face this day.

I could go on and on.

Circumstances make it easy to praise today.

Circumstances don’t always cooperate with our need to praise. Sometimes circumstances are terrible, and we struggle to find a heart of thankfulness. But today is not that day.

Unfortunately, sometimes the knowledge that circumstances don’t always cooperate warps our ability to praise when the circumstances are good. We question ourselves, wondering if we are only praising because we’re happy, comfortable, and momentarily problem-free.

The questioning pulls us down, and we get so focused on bolstering ourselves for the bad days that we miss the opportunity to praise when it’s easy to do so.

What if we were to instead just go ahead and praise without reservation?

Whether I know you personally or not, I can guarantee that you will have days that are hard. You will experience circumstances that challenge your ability to be thankful. You will encounter moments – or weeks, months, even years – when you do not want to praise. When it truly is sacrificial.

But if today is a day when praise comes easily, I encourage you to focus on one thing alone: the praise. Strengthen yourself in it. Allow God’s presence to flow over and through you unhindered. Lift your heart to Him in fullness.

There is no better way to prepare for the days when praise is hard than to praise Him today with full abandon.

PS – I wrote this three days ago. As I proof it for publication, I smile as I realize that today is NOT one of those “easy to praise” days. It’s not a bad day, really. It’s just an easier day to gripe and whine. But I get to praise. The memory of freely praising earlier this week is strengthening me to praise today. 

Which kind of day is it for you? Praise will strengthen it. No matter what.