PRAISE

God designed us to worship and to give praise.  The question is what you are worshipping and what you are praising. Our human nature is to be outspoken (“praise”) in complaint [Philippians 2:14-16].  Complaining about things not being as we want them to be or how they should be.  We tend to be vocal about this in our thought life which then spills into our words and often our actions [Ephesians 5:18-20].  It is a form of praise of complaint that has us focused (worshipping) what we think we deserve, how things should be, and the unfairness of our circumstances. 

The praise God designed us for is praising Him and being outspoken about it in your thoughts, words and actions that we trust Him, that He never fails, and thankfulness to Him for what He has done for you (in time, talent, and treasure).  It is a praise that has you focused (worshipping) on God in gratefulness, in trust, and in hope - all rooted in Jesus our deliverer.  Capture your thoughts and determine if you are praising God or praising in complaint [2 Corinthians 10:5].  One will align with God’s will and the other will wrestle with God’s will.  Praise God especially when you think there is nothing to praise Him for and He will lift the veil of your blindness (of complaint) to see how much He had done, is doing and will do [Psalm 95:1-3 & 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18].