Weather report from heaven: Sunny and bright with an abundance of light, and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture: Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28
Insight: As we head into Thanksgiving in the United States this Thursday, I want to focus this week on all that I am thankful for, especially as it relates to my relationship with God. I am thankful that God is who He is, and He accepts me as I am. The fact that the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth loves and accepts me as I am is something to be so thankful for. I don’t need to try and become perfect (impossible) or put pressure on myself to fix all of my flaws, of which there are many, I just need to rest in His goodness and His presence, remembering that He is the Vine and we are the branches (John 15:5), and by just being connected to Him, we can begin to produce good fruit. Just taking time to be in His presence can change everything if we consciously seek Him. We live in a hectic, media fueled World full of distraction and division, so let’s take time this week to purposely unplug from the grid a bit, and change our focus and our outlook. Outcomes are determined by outlooks, so let’s find things to be thankful for on a daily basis. I know this can be hard when we are suffering and going through various trials such as being physically ill, financially troubled, emotionally fatigued or spiritually bankrupt. But if we shift our focus we can become joyful even in the midst of our trials and being thankful is a great way to start. Because we are loved by God (1 Thessalonians 1:4) we can be thankful daily that He is on our side.
So what are some specific things we can be thankful for on a daily basis this week and always? Well, I am not sure this is true for everyone who may read this post, but if you do have food to eat today, you are better off than over 2 Billion people in the world right now. Do you have a warm place to sleep? Be thankful, many do not. You can be thankful for the air you have to breathe today, for the beauty all around us, for freedom if you are so lucky. You can be thankful for health, if you are lucky enough to have it, for you and your loved ones. You can be thankful for a smile or a kind word or gesture you saw or heard today. The point is, and I know this can sound a little sappy, but there is always something to be thankful for. Just even the simplest of things. By focusing on being thankful, we will be distracted from being needy or feeling lack. The simplest of changes in our outlooks can truly change our outcome. I have tried to incorporate being more thankful throughout my days and it has helped raise my spirits. I don’t gain anything when I am complaining, but when I am thankful I may may notice and then influence someone who desperately needs encouragement. I look for ways to give, instead of worrying about ways to get and that little change in outlook has made a big difference in the outcome of my days. My prayer is by being thankful in all circumstances, in both little blessings that many times may have gone unnoticed in the past, or in big blessing that make me want to fall on my knees in awe of God. In all things, lets try to be thankful this week. Let’s find opportunities in the difficulties of life, blessings in the pains of life, and peace amidst the swirling winds of chaos that are all around us.
Prayer: Father God, thanks so much that you love us and your Word the Bible tells us so throughout its pages. Help us to focus this week on how much you love us and how you showed us that love in Christ Himself, Emmanuel God in the flesh, our lifeline to you and eternity. Let us turn down some of the noise that is all around us and fix our eyes on your great love, which never seeks anything other than us saying “yes” to receiving it. Amen!
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