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Abundant Life
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Day 30 - Be Thankful
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
How appropriate that the day I choose to write about thankfulness happens to be the first day of November! One might be tempted to think that I actually planned that. But truth be told I did not. After all I am the "fly by the seat of your pants" kinda girl. Some of you have probably already figured that out. Especially if you have been with me since the beginning you know that the original list I typed out of the topics I would be covering for 31 days had been deleted. In it's place I've been adding the titles of what I actually have written on. I truly am pathetic, I can't even follow my own plan, ha ha ha. Ladies it's good to laugh at ourselves isn't it! Sorry I digress...now where was I...Oh yes, Thankfulness!
The above verse says "in everything give thanks." I don't know about you, but that is not easy for me. I mean it's easy to give thanks when things are going well, but when they are not I'm more likely to grumble and complain then give thanks. Yes, I know that we are not to be grumbling and complaining. Nonetheless that is exactly what I do! I'm getting better then I used to be on this one, but I certainly have not mastered it yet (phil. 3:13-15).
One thing that has helped me is knowing that it's not like I'm to be all like "thank-you Lord for this awful thing that you have allowed into my life." Rather it's more like "thank-you Father that even though this is painful I know somehow You will work it for my good (Romans 8:28), and that You give me everything I need so I can get through this!" "Thank-you that Your carrying me through it!"
In my house I have two signs in my kitchen one big and one small one that say "in everything give thanks." I have them there to be a constant reminder to me of what my attitude should be. I need the reminder, because I'm more of a the cup is half empty more then a cup is half full kind of person. If you like the idea of having a reminder you don't have to have a sign. Instead you could just write it out on a sticky note and put that where you can see it.
Another helpful thing I learned in a Bible Study I taught (Lord, Change My Attitude by Jame MacDonald) is to write 10 things down that your thankful for at the end of the day and review in the morning. Or was it the other way around...well anyways I'm not sure it matters which way you do it so long as you do it. If you do, do it you will find that your outlook on life will be so much better then it has been. Why don't you give it a try then check back in with me at a later and let me know how it went?
Praying Dear sister's that we will learn to count our blessing far more then our disappointments! Then we truly will walk more and more in the abundant life that is ours in Christ!
Count Your Blessings
Johnson Oatman Jr. 1897
The above verse says "in everything give thanks." I don't know about you, but that is not easy for me. I mean it's easy to give thanks when things are going well, but when they are not I'm more likely to grumble and complain then give thanks. Yes, I know that we are not to be grumbling and complaining. Nonetheless that is exactly what I do! I'm getting better then I used to be on this one, but I certainly have not mastered it yet (phil. 3:13-15).
One thing that has helped me is knowing that it's not like I'm to be all like "thank-you Lord for this awful thing that you have allowed into my life." Rather it's more like "thank-you Father that even though this is painful I know somehow You will work it for my good (Romans 8:28), and that You give me everything I need so I can get through this!" "Thank-you that Your carrying me through it!"
In my house I have two signs in my kitchen one big and one small one that say "in everything give thanks." I have them there to be a constant reminder to me of what my attitude should be. I need the reminder, because I'm more of a the cup is half empty more then a cup is half full kind of person. If you like the idea of having a reminder you don't have to have a sign. Instead you could just write it out on a sticky note and put that where you can see it.
Another helpful thing I learned in a Bible Study I taught (Lord, Change My Attitude by Jame MacDonald) is to write 10 things down that your thankful for at the end of the day and review in the morning. Or was it the other way around...well anyways I'm not sure it matters which way you do it so long as you do it. If you do, do it you will find that your outlook on life will be so much better then it has been. Why don't you give it a try then check back in with me at a later and let me know how it went?
Praying Dear sister's that we will learn to count our blessing far more then our disappointments! Then we truly will walk more and more in the abundant life that is ours in Christ!
Count Your Blessings
Johnson Oatman Jr. 1897
- When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.- Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
[*And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.]
- Refrain:
- Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by. - When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. - So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
*Alternate text.
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