Replace Complaining with Praise
Adapted from Daily Devotions from Psalms
My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
What would happen if we replaced all complaining and murmuring with praise to God? I believe amazing things would take place. It is difficult to get through one day without complaining, let alone a lifetime. God wants to hear our praise, not our report on all the negative things we feel are happening to us.
We can purpose to look for all the good things God has done and is doing in our lives and talk about them. We can rehearse them to God when talking with Him and telling others of them. Our prayers should not only be about asking God for something; they should also be filled with praise and thanksgiving for all that He has already done.
Philippians 4:6 teaches us to pray with thanksgiving. If we are complainers, we will only keep complaining, even if God gives us something we are asking for. Let’s learn to praise God even in the midst of our troubles, for that is when praise is most powerful. If we cannot praise Him in the valleys of life, then we won’t praise Him on the mountaintops either. God is good all the time, not just when we like our circumstances. Let’s tell of His mighty deeds and His saving acts.
Prayer of the Day: Father, You are righteous and You do righteous acts. I praise You for all Your goodness to me. I want my mouth to be filled with gratitude, not complaints. Please help me. Thank You.
