Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now, let the weak say I am strongI sat down and opened blogger to start this post, turning on one of my music playlists. Give Thanks was the first song to play, and I thought "How fitting!". The thought I wanted to write about was exactly on that topic -- of the giving of thanks.
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us
Give thanks
One practice I've gotten myself into when I'm feeling down is to write down God's blessings in my life. It helps to put things into perspective again. Sometimes our focus shifts, and like with a camera, when the focus is just slightly off, the whole picture is blurred. When we shift our eyes from focusing on the Lord and His goodness, we forget about our blessings and start worrying and stressing about our struggles and become unhappy.
I can't count how many times the devil has tried to fill my mind with lies.
You're worthless. You don't have any friends. Your life isn't going to amount to anything. Look at you! Ha. Pitiful. Look at them. They're so much better than you.
Oh, sometimes it's like an endless melody running through my mind. Especially when I wake up at 3:00 in the morning.
But those are LIES. I'm not worthless. Christ DIED for me. He predestinated me before the foundation of the world... why on earth would He save my soul if I were worthless?
Friends? I've been blessed with such wonderful people around me! My family, church family, youth from other churches around the world, friendly acquaintances at school and different places. And let's not forget the very best friend anyone could have -- Jesus. My! Me, friendless? Certainly not.
The Bible says that the footsteps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord. And since I've committed my life into God's hands, I am trusting that He has everything in control. I may not know all the answers right now. I don't even know what step He wants me to take next... but I'm going to let my Lord lead me. And I want to follow His leading. How can our lives amount to nothing with the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us? He has given us power! We are destined to be victorious. Overcomers by the blood of the Lamb! Hallelujah! How blessed we are!
Have you ever played the comparison game? I'm sure we all have. Mmhmm. I guess I could say it's one of my biggest flaws. I had to laugh at myself one time. I was giving myself a pep talk of sorts... and I said "Just fake confidence!". Faking confidence. Hmm. Why can't I just BE confident? Why must I fake it?
If we could all just realize our worth. There is not one person that is greater than another person. In God's eyes, we are all His people. He loves us all with unconditional love. He doesn't have a favourite. At the end of our lives here, He doesn't look at who was the most outgoing or the most well-dressed. He doesn't look at how many parties you attended or how many times you've travelled. What matters is that we allow God to work in our hearts and manifest in our lives. It doesn't have to be a grand show. Living simply and honestly, humbly walking with God is the best thing we can do on this earth. So stop the comparison game! We are all unique and we are all special in God's eyes.
So when you find yourself growing unhappy and discontented with your situation in life... Think about your blessings. Write them down. And give thanks to the Lord for them.
