#475: Wendy Speake — Build This Spiritual Discipline Before You Need It

What happens when praising God no longer comes naturally? In this episode, Tony sits down with author, speaker, and Bible teacher Wendy Speake for a deeply personal conversation about praise, perseverance, spiritual disciplines, and learning to trust God when life gets hard. For years, praise had been a natural overflow of Wendy’s faith—until she entered a season where life became tremendously difficult. In the middle of feeling physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally broken, Wendy began to discover that praise and thanksgiving aren’t dependent on our circumstances. Sometimes, they become a discipline we choose precisely when we don’t feel like it. Wendy shares the unexpected airplane conversation that led her into an “ask fast,” where she temporarily stopped petitioning God for what she wanted and instead focused on praising Him for who He is. That practice became an important part of her healing—and ultimately inspired her new book, A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving. Tony and Wendy also explore the daily practices that keep faith rooted, how our thought patterns shape our relationships, what it means to share vulnerably without sharing every detail, and why persevering in our relationship with God matters even when everything else feels like it’s falling apart. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why praise is a spiritual discipline—not just a response to good circumstances. What an “ask fast” is and how it can shift the way you approach prayer. How to build spiritual disciplines without turning them into shame-filled checklists. Why intentionally focusing on what is true and praiseworthy can reshape your thought patterns. How surrendering control can change the way you relate to the people you love. The important difference between vulnerability and transparency. Why leaders should be thoughtful about sharing wounds that haven’t fully healed. What it looks like to persevere with God when you’re barely persevering in life. Coaching Question What spiritual discipline are you building today that will help anchor you when life gets hard? Connect with Wendy Speake Wendy Speake is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher whose latest book, A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving, explores what it means to praise God through difficult seasons. Website: wendyspeake.com Integrated Leader Mastermind — Applications Open Strong leaders weren't meant to lead alone. Tony Miltenberger and Trey Tucker are bringing together 12 Christian men for a six-month mastermind focused on growing professionally, personally, and spiritually alongside other leaders committed to doing the same. Learn more and apply: leader-integrated-cohort.replit.app Connect with Tony Miltenberger Website: twmilt.com 12 Questions: follow2leadbenchmark.com YouTube: youtube.com/@twmilt Substack: twmilt.substack.com Instagram: @twmilt | @follow2lead SEEDS Download the free SEEDS app and take one small step today: plant your first seed and see what God can grow. Please check out our sponsor: EBEB Solutions ebebsolutions.com That Sounds Fun Network thatsoundsfunnetwork.com Follow 2 Lead Coaching follow2leadbenchmark.com Apple Podcasts Follow 2 Lead on Apple Podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices