All Circumstances
November 27, 2020
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 NLT
We are not called to be thankful FOR all circumstances, but IN all circumstances. This is God’s will for me if I am a Jesus-follower. If I don’t live in gratitude, I stifle the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. That’s not what we want, right? We need the Holy Spirit to be alive and active in our lives. The work of the Holy Spirit through my gratitude is only one of the benefits of being grateful, no matter what.
Check out this list:
- Gratitude gets my eyes off myself and helps me focus on God and others.
- It reminds me how great and mighty God is and keeps me in a place of humility and dependency on Him as I remember how much I need Him.
- It takes my attention off my problems and helps me instead to reflect on how good He has been to me, and how many daily blessings I have.
- Gratitude reminds me that God is the giver of all good gifts. He is my provider.
- Gratitude defeats complaining and blaming and helps all my relationships. It is impossible to be truly grateful yet filled with negativity.
- Gratitude makes Satan run! Darkness can't stand to be around grateful hearts.
- Gratitude props the door wide open for more blessings. We see the world in a new way that invites God’s presence into every moment of our day. We see that we are more refreshed and renewed as we breathe gratitude in and out. God loves to give good gifts to His children. We are not stifling the Holy Spirit, and so He pours out His Spirit and favor over those who give honor and gratitude to Him.
- Gratitude is a love potion. It helps all of our relationships.
What could you add? Thank Him!
- Pray: Take time to speak aloud your gratitude to God for at least one way He is present in your life today.