Praise sounds like a lofty endeavor, doesn’t it? Really, it’s simply thanking God for who he is. Words of praise reflect a God-focused heart. They demand a shift of attention away from selfishness and toward God’s goodness and love, which will automatically influence everything that comes out of your mouth. Too often, you and I fall into the trap of only praising God when we’re inside a church building on Sunday morning. But if we are going to win the battle over the tongue, we need to make a practice of praising him every day. David wrote in Psalm 145:2, “I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.”

One of the most practical ways to do this is to create a habit of starting your day with praise. The first hour of your day is similar to the bit in a horse’s mouth or the rudder on a ship. If you choose to begin your day with positive words of praise to God, the rest of your day will be better for it. You’ll be in a better place when evening comes. So think about it: What are the first words that come out of your mouth when you wake up? Are you willing to start replacing those words with words of gratitude and thanksgiving?

Begin by thanking God for who he is. Think about his attributes and how they affect your life. Thank him for his love, his blessings, his direction, his forgiveness, and his peace. Let those words settle into your heart and become part of the wellspring you’ll speak from for the rest of the day. Bringing your tongue—and thereby your life—under control begins with the simple habit of praise.

 

The above was taken as an excerpt from Tongue Pierced: How the Words You Speak Transform the Life You Live by Nelson Searcy and Jennifer Dykes Henson. For more information on how you can use your words to build a better life, visit tonguepierced.com.

Nelson Searcy is the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church and the author of more than 80 church leadership resources, including 14 best-selling books. He currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida, with his family. Jennifer Dykes Henson is a writer based in New York City. Before finding success with Tongue Pierced, Jennifer worked with Dr. Charles Stanley for In Touch Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.