Thankfulness

On this Thanksgiving day, 2008, I am taking a moment to contemplate all that I have to be thankful for! Amongst all the troubles in the world, the troubles in the financial world, the wars, the pain and sickness and hardships, even in our own family, it is a little harder this year to find a "Thankful heart". But . . .

Gratitude comes from having the right perspective. It's being able to look at what we have and being thankful for that, not longing for what we don't have. So, I definitely have lots to be thankful for: God has blessed me with a wonderful family, we have a nice home, good jobs, cars, plenty of food and clothes - what more could we want?

Then God said to me (and to all of you, too) "Do you know why you should feel grateful? YOU are a part of God's plan, YOU are touched by God's tenderness and mercy and forgiveness, YOU are victorious in God's victory. What greater blessing could there be?"

It's incredible that anyone could look at the kindness of God, the faithfulness of God, and the goodness of God and not feel any emotion of gratitude.

Remember the Lord. Remember who is in control. Remember His goodness in the past. Remember God's closeness in the present. Remember His power for the future.

Read Jeremiah 29:11-14. Can you share a plan God has for you that you feel is being carried out.

Trust God!

Have you ever asked God - "If You're really God, then why is this happening to me? If You really love me like everyone tells me You do, then why haven't you brought me out of this awful circumstance when I know You could? " "Why haven't you brought healing to this one I am so faithful to pray for every day? I see you heal the one in the next bed at the hospital, but, you leave the one I pray for suffering, or dying." "Where are you in my life when everything is so topsy turvy and I am so afraid?" . . . . . etc. etc. etc.

Well, I believe that there can be no trust unless you have some unanswered questions in your life. If you know everything in your life, then there's no reason to trust God. Don't waste your time trying to figure things out that only God knows, because He's not telling!

I hope you understand that trusting God will change your life. It will set you free from the things you don't understand. And you may not be moving forward, not be able to move on, because you've got some of these "why's" and unanswered questions hidden away on the inside of you.

If you want to go full force ahead with God, then you need to stop continually asking questions that only He can answer. Stop demanding to know why, and instead, trust Him. I believe that trusting God is the answer to every problem you and I have in our lives. And it doesn't matter what kind of trouble it is. If we trust God, we can be set free from the burdens of our problems - set free to enjoy His peace and joy!