Giving thanks
is the will of God for us (1 Thessalonians 5:18). We show gratitude for the
beneficial as well as the detrimental circumstances in our life, because God
has a seed for a miracle in every trial.
When we keep
our daily focus on Jesus, the negative circumstances fade into the distance. We
lose our attachment to the world and the desires of our flesh and become more
heavenly minded.
The
blessings inherent in our life hidden with Christ in God flow through every
moment of every day (Colossians 3:3). The Lord is near; therefore, we have no
reason to feel anxiety over the current situation in our life, or to fear the
unforeseen future (Philippians 4:5).
As we lift
up our concerns in prayer, expressing our needs and requests to God with a
grateful heart for what He has already done for us, His peace floods our soul
(Philippians 4:6).
This is not the superficial peace that the
world offers to us (John 14:27), but a deep satisfying peace that transcends
human reason and guards our soul - our thoughts, emotions and choices - in
Christ (Philippians 6:7).
Jesus gave
His life to provide us with His righteousness in exchange for our sins. He
crucified our sin nature on the cross with Him and made us co-heirs with Him of
the Kingdom of God (Romans 8:17).
Our Heavenly
Father cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, and He has
our best interest in mind even more than He does the rest of His creation (Matthew
6:26-32).
Prayer:
Father God,
even if we experience tribulation in our life, it is simply light and momentary
affliction compared to Your glory in our life and in our eternal existence (2
Corinthians 4:17). We place our cares in Your capable hands, and we rejoice in
even the most negative circumstances (1 Peter 5:7-9).
Thank You
for including us in Your plans and accepting us as Your children. Help us to
live a grateful life so that we can give You praise every moment of every day.
Teach us to trust in You rather than to depend on our human reasoning (Proverbs
3:5-6) and to give You all of the praise and glory that You deserve.
Thought for
the Day:
A carefree
life is the result of totally surrendering our expectations and desires to
God's will for our life.
