Reflecting Always Brings Thanks Living

Some of you know that I have been wrestling with several health problems the last few years and one of the things that it has done is cause me to re-examine my priorities.  I am continuing to learn that it is imperative to not simply focus on what is wrong, but what and Who is right.  Adversity is intended not to come between us and God, but to draw us closer… not to make us gripe, but grateful.  What should it take for a Christian to be thankful to our Savior and Father?  Simply to be in touch with the realities of life and to reflect upon them.  No matter what our circumstances, prosperity or adversity, we are blessed of God and should be thankful.  The Thanksgiving Season merely calls it to our attention.

Where would any of us be apart from God?  Without hope or help, separated from both His mercy and His grace.  God’s mercy and grace are woven into every thread of the fabric of our lives.  In the worst of times we need to give thanks.  To give thanks is to think… about all that is not wrong, how much tragedy has not occurred and how faithful God is even in the darkest moments!  To begin to reflect and give thanks shifts our focus from what is wrong to how very much is still right, causing us to see life clearly again.  God’s people must be a thankful people no matter what is happening.

Life can bring disappointment, rejection, betrayal, abuse and even abandonment, but never by God.  To His children He is Abba Father, Daddy.  He is faithful when no one else is.  He keeps His promises when all others break them.  He loves us when we are completely unlovable.  He is faithful when we are unfaithful.  He both shares our burdens and wants to carry them for us.  He died that we might live.  Cultivate an attitude of gratitude.  Stop and reflect… you will give thanks — all year long!

Jon

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100