The Mindset of Praise

Can you guess that poet and song writer who demonstrated this unique expressive technique in his writing time and time again where he switched his complaint to praise?   He begins his outpouring with complaint, a recounting of injustices, and a complete exposure of his feelings and emotions.

But then he switches gears, engaging instead the mindset of praise.  

Did you say David of the Bible?  You're right!

You've probably heard of the attitude of gratitude, where we look for that silver lining in even the most grim of situations. 

• My car won't start.  [Well, at least I have a car!]
• The internet is out.  [I have other options to connect online.]
• I was injured in an auto accident. [My life was spared.  I have more work on this earth to do.  I have medical and health care at my disposal.]

You get the picture.  Fostering this attitude allows us to quickly give count of the reality of a situation and shortly after to notice and give brain waves over to the otherwise fortunate side of the situation.  We train our brains to process hardship against the backdrop of gratitude and giving thanks.

But the mindset of praise goes a step further.  It's the constant mental pursuit to recall and recount God's qualities and characteristics despite persecution, hardship, and trial. ​

We can demonstrate an attitude of praise by habit.   And developing this habit is fairly easy.  

Listen Now C2T Podcast: The Mindset of Praise

​A mindset of praise can quickly follow gratitude.  It takes the WHY ME, LORD?! question and turns it on its head.  Praise says things instead like:

• God, You are faithful.
• Lord, yet I will trust You.
• You are king, my Master.
• You are sovereign.
• You are with me.
• You are faithful.

In episode 036 of the Choose 2 Think Podcast, we explore the 15th  most popular psalm:  Psalm 31.  In a nutshell it is a song of complaint and praise (as subtitled in the NASB). 

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As we examine the psalm, we can study the way that David switched from complaint to praise and then apply this technique to our lives.

David historically was persecuted by Saul. He was treated wrongly, shamed by his enemies, was slandered – all of which had the potential to steal David's joy and peace.   Yet he almost always ends all his psalms reaffirming God’s character and amazing goodness.  It sounds simple, but this mindset of praise requires persistence and endurance.   

A simple approach?  Start small.  The next time you have that Why me, Lord?! kinda feeling, go ahead and empty your heart of complaint, but then fill it right back up by praising God and affirming just how faithful He is.  Just do it once.  You may be pleasantly surprised at the result.

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