Ephesians 5:20 NIV “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Unusual thankfulness

Be thankful for pain – you were made aware of a medical issue.

Be thankful for trials – You become more dependent on faith in God. You become stronger and more patient. 

Be thankful for what you have. It heals the destructive sin of greed and jealousy.

Be thankful in troubled times; God is about to show up. Your hope and trust in God became stronger.

Help with Thankfulness

Thankfulness is not natural to humanity. Our nature is to be envious, to want more. Man’s nature is more inward rather than outward. However, with the Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives, a new nature is available. A new view of life will bring peace and joy to our homes, marriages, work, and even the ability to walk through tragic, difficult times and not grow bitter. The powerful influence that can dramatically impact your daily experience is the power of thankfulness. Put on thankfulness. Choose thankfulness. It is the Holy Spirit that helps us improve our daily attitude step by step, slowly moving you closer and closer to a genuinely joyful, thankful person.

A Thankful Treadmill

Ask God to “make” you more thankful, and He will provide a “spiritual thankful treadmill” for you to begin exercising with the Holy Spirit as a coach right beside you. The way you grow in godliness is not from an “instant miracle ” from God, but rather you become a participant of the process through daily repentance, listening as the Holy Spirit coaches you into looking at the world and its problems in a new light. As you continue using the thanksgiving treadmill, you begin to be more thankful for all the things you missed before. The Holy Spirit is transforming your spirit into being joyful and thankful in all things.

Start this week, even today, to be thankful for things you would typically make you frustrated or upset. Tell someone each day you are thankful for them, even the difficult ones. They are helping you mature in your walk with God.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 NIV Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. [19]

Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“ahem,”…thank you for reading this blog!

Now, let your lightnside shine bright, fueled with thankfulness.

Psalms 73:2-3 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.  For I envied the proud  when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

“Life is unfair!” “How do people get away with doing wrong?”, “Why doesn’t God do something?” “My life is difficult, and I am trying to do what is right, but those who enjoy sin seem to have so much fun!” 

Sound familiar? Maybe you have not said it out loud to others, but inside there is a building pressure of frustration. I find myself in that place right now!

As I reflect on my “not fair” feelings, the Scriptures remind me that I am not alone. Scripture also gives me direction and understanding. Let me list a few scriptures.

I almost slipped…

Psalms 73 describes this “unfair” feeling as we observe the lost and sinful people seem to have pleasure, laughter, and no consequence. Notice the psalmist states he almost loses his footing in God. Read verses 1-16 to understand his full complaint. The psalmist is in a really frustrating place.

Then he walks into the sanctuary,…everything changes. 

The presence of God is there, and in his spirit, God reminds him of the destination of sinners. The psalmist understands how great God is and nothing escapes Him. Read the words of God’s goodness in verses 18-26. The psalmist ends the chapter with these verses. 27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

In the last days…

2 Timothy 3:1-5 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

I believe we are in the last days. God tells us to stay strong in the Lord. 

Four elements transform frustration into hope.

Pursue truth and righteousness. Know that the days will be difficult, but God is with us. All this means is Jesus is coming soon. He will set all things right. He will return righteousness to the world. Paul describes his focus in difficult times to Timothy. Verse 10 “But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.” 

Are you having a difficult time? Are you looking around and have the feeling “it’s not fair?” The solution is to walk into your church. God’s presence will fill your spirit, and you will understand that God is in full control. Know that we are in the last days, and the lawless one is infecting all society. Be strong in the Lord. Increase faith, patience, love, and endurance. Let us follow his example and keep our lightnside shining bright. 

Today we vote for a president. I have already voted, and I hope you have or will today. This nation is great and established by God. One nation under God. We have fallen away from God’s presence. I feel there is a push to return to Godly guidance. As more of God’s people seek God and repent, God will hear and heal our land. (2 CHronicles 7:14.) I pray for a revival in our land to reach the hearts of our people.

The government cannot save us. Only God can save us.

Meditate on Psalms 146 today as we vote.

Praise the Lord!

1   Let all that I am praise the Lord.

2     I will praise the Lord as long as I live.    I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

3 Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;    there is no help for you there. 4 When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,    and all their plans die with them. 5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,    whose hope is in the Lord their God.

6 He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.

7 He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners.

8     The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly.

9 The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

10 The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations.

VOTE Today!

And no matter who get’s elected,

let your lightnside

Praise the Lord!