Faith | Praise activates a sense of gratitude. Try it

It may be a so-called “random” act of kindness or a rather intentional one.

It may be seen by many, even going “viral” if posted online, or it may only be witnessed by a silent observer who then tucks away. But most of the time, when any of us sees or hears something praise-worthy, we will find a way to say so.

We want to give praise where we believe praise is due.

And inevitably, that praise-worthy moment or act stirs up another feeling in our heart or meaning in our soul—that of gratefulness or thanksgiving.

Praise seems to activate a sense of gratitude. Because of that good or inspiring thing, we feel grateful or thankful. And again, with such a feeling or meaning warming and strengthening us, most of the time we will find a way to express that gratitude.

We want to give thanks where we believe thanks is due.

Then an interesting process seems to unfold: our thanks informs our praise, and our praise enlivens our thanks. In my mind they are related but not the same; perhaps praise and thanks are two sides of the same coin, a coin that enriches our lives as persons and as communities. And could it be that without these two mutual expressions being shared graciously and generously from our hearts and souls, we impoverish ourselves and each other?

Most sacred texts from the major religious traditions are replete with verses of praising and thanksgiving. You likely are familiar with many of them in your tradition; if so, you probably read them frequently.

Beyond stirring cuddly feelings and comforting sustenance, I believe the experiences and expressions of praise and thanks are life-changing in at least two ways.

First, praise and thanks offer a positive counterpoint to the all-too-frequent negative manners in which we treat each other up close and far away. Especially among those we oppose or despise, do we or dare we consider an alternative?

One online writer suggested when we engage or react in disagreement, that we consider their perspective with, “I haven’t thought about that or in that way.” While this may not launch us into their camp, it may reveal something—even some small but real thing—that we can praise or thank.

As noted above, it may begin with a sense of praise which leads to a genuine word of thanks, or we may be stirred with a sense of thanks that leads us to offer honest praise.

Second, as we emerge from our recent election cycle and move through the seasons of harvest and holidays, the intention and practice of praise and thanks offers a better and healthier way to care for ourselves and interact with others. The way of praise and thanks is a better way, offering a life-giving approach that creates and does not destroy, that validates our convictions without denigrating those of others.

This I believe: that our gratitude informs our praise and our praise enlivens our gratitude!