I pray you are all doing well!
In the season of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of how fortunate I am in the many blessings of my life. I am ashamed to say that all too often, I am more than happy and prepared to complain rather than give thanks. More times than not, I have received blessings for which I never asked. That is the gracious and merciful Father I serve and love! How many times have you found yourself in the same situation? And yet? How many times do we complain about how God didn't work according to our plan?
I am guilty of this more times than I care to admit!
The Bible talks about "being thankful" and "giving thanks" a total of 40 times. God is clearly VERY serious about us developing and practicing a spirit and an attitude of thankfulness! And as you read this you may say, "this woman has no idea what I have been through! What do I have to be thankful for?"
Believe me, I understand! I don't know all of the circumstances surrounding your life. But! I do know how bitterness, anger, and resentment can kill a spirit faster than a blazing fire. I know, because I was there up until only a few years ago. And! I have been a Believer since I was seven years old! Even so, I let years of hurt build up inside until I couldn't even see straight. Sure, I put on a well rehearsed smile and said all of the right things; but, inside I was dying.
It wasn't until after I talked to a friend who gave me a new perspective, that I realized how selfishly I was acting. I had spent years blaming God for my hardships; expecting that life as a Christian would prevent me from any sorrows, while failing to see the blessings He has placed and worked in EVERY aspect of my life. Even in the struggles, God has blessed me. If I had simply taken the time to really look and listen, I would have seen this truth many years ago. Now don't get me wrong; I am not asking God for hardships and struggles-even in my new understanding. But, I can approach them with a much different attitude.
I no longer see it as God punishing me, but rather His continuous work in my life. It gives me comfort to know that my Father is still molding, shaping, and transforming me into His image. For that, I am eternally Thankful!
Here are several verses that remind me to give thanks in ALL THINGS. Please take the time to read and reflect up this truth!
Thessalonians 5: 16-18 says: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Psalm 136: 3 says: "Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever."
Philippians 4: 4-7 says: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Now, I am not saying that you will ALWAYS have a thankful heart. Life will present struggles that make it nearly impossible to think about being thankful. But, don't look at thankfulness as an emotion, but rather a state-of-mind and a life-style choice. And as all habits do, it will take TIME to develop. So! Be patient with yourself! This change of the heart won't happen over night, and you can't do it alone! Seek the Lord in all things! When the flesh wants so badly to be ungrateful, ask Him for the strength to be thankful in spirit, mind, and deed!
My challenge to you! Keep a journal or a list of the things for which you are thankful. It can be a daily list, weekly, or monthly. Just keep it habitual. And! It doesn't always have to be big things. It can be seemingly small and inconsequential items that mean something personally to you! At the end of each day, week, month, etc., reflect on those things, and present them to the Lord.
I wanted to share a YouTube link to a song by Laura Story. I am not going to tell you anything further. The songs lyrics explain themselves perfectly!! Enjoy!
May you be blessed in the coming week! <3
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