Practical Ways to Integrate Praise Into Daily Life. S2E35
This week's Church Unscripted podcast explored the transformative power of praise, especially during life's toughest challenges. Pastors John, Eric, and David examined the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, where praise became an unexpected yet mighty weapon against overwhelming odds.
CHOOSING PRAISE: MORE THAN EMOTION
Our discussion revealed that praise transcends mere emotional response—it's a deliberate choice we make, regardless of our circumstances. Pastor David emphasized, "Praise is not an emotion. Praise is a choice." This powerful statement reminds us that declaring God's goodness has tremendous spiritual impact, even when we don't feel like praising.
Pastor Eric shared a touching analogy about his children expressing love after discipline, highlighting how praise during difficult times can be particularly meaningful. This led to a thoughtful exploration of how God might view our praise during trials, though we acknowledged our limited human perspective in fully understanding God's thoughts.
REGULAR PRAISE: PREPARING OUR HEARTS
The conversation underscored the value of establishing consistent, intentional times of prayer and praise. Just as athletes train regularly for game day, we too need to cultivate a habit of praise that prepares us for life's challenges. Pastor Eric advised scheduling "regular and uninterrupted time for prayer and praise" as a practical step to strengthen our spiritual lives.
AUDIBLE PRAISE: SHIFTING ATMOSPHERES
We discussed the unique power of audible praise, noting how throughout Scripture, audible declarations of God's goodness often preceded miraculous interventions. Pastor David pointed out that making our praise heard can change atmospheres and influence those around us. This insight challenges us to be bold in our expressions of worship, not just in church gatherings but in our daily lives.
BUILDING JESUS-CENTERED HOMES THROUGH PRAISE
Our conversation took a practical turn as we explored building a culture of praise within families. Pastor John raised an important question about how parents can model a life of praise, especially when it's easy to fall into patterns of negative communication with children.
Pastor David suggested a powerful perspective shift: instead of raising our voices in frustration when facing parenting challenges, what if we raised our voices in praise to God? This approach reminds us of God's sovereignty over our children's lives and our role as stewards rather than ultimate controllers.
Pastor Eric emphasized the need for creativity and intentionality in family worship times. Whether it's reading Scripture together and discussing God's character or setting aside dedicated time for family worship, these practices can profoundly shape our home environments.
FACING LIFE'S BATTLES WITH PRAISE
Pastor Eric reminded us that God will bring experiences into our lives that are far bigger than we can handle alone. This sobering truth highlights our need for complete dependence on Jesus. Like Jehoshaphat, when faced with overwhelming odds, we can choose to turn to Christ first, acknowledging His power, faithfulness, and sovereignty over our situations.
The story in 2 Chronicles 20 illustrates how praise can precede and even facilitate victory. It challenges us to consider: How might our approach to difficulties change if we led with praise instead of panic?
A CALL TO ACTION
For those facing seemingly insurmountable challenges or simply needing encouragement in their daily walk with Christ, we hope this conversation inspires you to lift your voice in praise to our good and faithful God. Here are some practical steps:
- Set aside dedicated time each day for prayer and praise, even if it's just a few minutes.
- Practice audible praise by speaking Scripture aloud or singing worship songs.
- Look for opportunities to praise God amid daily challenges, shifting your perspective from frustration to gratitude.
- Involve your family in regular worship times, creatively incorporating praise into your home life.