Don't allow what you don't have to make you overlook what God has already placed in your hands. Praise shifts our attention from what we're missing to the God who is our portion.

Praise does not require us to pretend. God is close to the brokenhearted, and worship gives our pain somewhere to go. You don't have to tell everybody what's wrong—but don't hide your heart from God.

You've prayed. You've believed. But you're still waiting. Don't confuse God's silence with God's absence. David said, “Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” — Psalm 5:3 There is a difference between simply waiting and waiting expectantly. Praise keeps your heart positioned to trust God even when you cannot yet see what He's doing. Tuesday's devotional in our A House of Excellent Praise series: PRAISING GOD STRENGTHENS US WHILE WE WAIT

Ekklesia, my prayer for you is that you would become a House of Excellent Praise. Not simply a church that has praise and worship. Not simply a congregation that knows how to sing, clap, shout, or lift our hands. My prayer is that praise becomes who we are. Because there are going to be moments when life gives you something to fear.