Psalm 103:2 "1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless His holy name! O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing!" (MSG)
I am just recovering from a challenging time in my life. Over a month ago I began having debilitating gall bladder attacks and we made preparations for my gall bladder to be taken out. Thankfully I am now recovering but through this time I have once again come to realize how very thankful I am for the little things in life. I am very sore and limited in what I can do for now but this time has given me an opportunity to rediscover a heart of thanksgiving.
The first thing that prompted my thankful rendezvous happened when I was taking a pill prescribed by my doctor for the discomfort I was experiencing. Wouldn't you know, I dropped it on the floor. Now, if you've had any type of abdominal surgery, you can imagine my predicament. The pill stayed on the floor until my husband could retrieve it. I then began to get dressed as I normally do in the mornings and even the simplest effort of putting on socks was impossible. One thing led to another and God quickly reminded me that I really had much to be thankful for. I certainly wouldn't have chosen this season of rest; however, God truly revealed so much Truth to me during this time and reminded me of the importance of a thankful heart.
In the midst of the busyness of our lives we often forget to take the time to pause and ponder, to stop and think about the many blessings God has given us. It may be a time in your life where it takes all the effort you can muster to even be able to utter thank you, maybe you've been hurt or you feel like God is distant for some reason. But it is at these times when we must sacrificially reach out and seek Him. He is the One who can make a lasting difference in our lives. He is the One who doesn't just change our situations but He seeks to change our hearts. He is the One who can focus our minds on Him instead of on the struggles that we're facing. If we will fix our eyes on Him, He can strengthen us by His peace and refuel us by His joy. It is by His power that we are able to rise up with a thankful heart and walk above all that we're facing that seeks to defeat us in this life.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to be thankful in ALL circumstances for this is the will in Christ Jesus. So, actually, since God commanded us to be thankful then it is a sin not to have a thankful heart. I'd like to challenge each of us to begin today and for the next 30 days to make a list of at least 5 things that we are thankful for. With this new found obsession with thankfulness we are bound to change our focus from ruminating on the negative to living a life of thanksgiving rejoicing in our new found appreciation of all that God has done for us.
I am thankful for __________________________________________________________________________________________.
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Personalize this prayer.
Dear Lord,
How can I say thank you for all that you've done for me starting with my salvation? You have undoubtedly changed my life and I'll be forever grateful. I know that at times I take it all for granted but I am truly thankful. Apart from You I have nothing to offer. You are the very air I breath. You give me life. You make life worth living. You own the cattle on a thousand hills and provide for all of my needs. You are my Comfort, my Healer, and my friend. You are my guide and my conscience. As I look back on the difference that you've made in my life and how it has affected my family, I am truly humbled. May Your praise be always on my lips and may my testimony speak of the Truth of Your love and Your faithfulness to Your own.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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