The Power of Being Thankful: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude (42 page)

Everything changes except God—we can be thankful that He is the constant, unchanging source of our lives. Letting all the changes around us cause us to be upset won’t keep changes from occurring. People change, circumstances change, our bodies change, our desires and passions change. One certainty in this world is change.

Most changes take place without our permission. But thankfully, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to adapt. If we refuse to make the transition in our minds and attitudes, then we are making a huge mistake. Our refusal to adapt doesn’t change the circumstances, but it does steal our peace and joy. Remember, if you can’t do anything about it, cast your care upon the Lord (see 1 Peter 5:7) and trust that He will take care of you.

I am grateful, Father, that when everything seems to be changing and unsure around me, I can trust that You will never change. Help me to look to You instead of my circumstance. I thank You that You are the foundation of my life.

If you want God to use you, do not let the fear of failure stop you from obeying Him as He leads you. Thankfully, God not only sees where you are, He sees where you can be. He not only sees what you have accomplished, He sees what you will do with His help. God is always leading us to greater things and wants us to look forward to the future. Don’t fear the unknown because God knows everything, and you are safe with Him.

Following God is often like walking in a fog. We can only see one or two steps in front of us, but as we take those steps, the next ones become clear. As we trust the Lord, we will have an exciting journey that will make life adventurous and enjoyable—every step of the way.

Father, thank You that You are directing and establishing my steps. I trust You to lead me one step at a time into the destiny You have for me. Thank You that You have good things planned for my life.

Words fuel good moods or bad moods; in fact, they fuel our attitudes and have a huge impact on our lives and our relationships. If we speak positive and good things, then we minister life to ourselves. We increase the emotion of joy. However, if we speak negative words, then we minister death and misery to ourselves; we increase our sadness and our moods plummet.

But, thankfully, we can control what words we speak and the quality of our lives. Why not help yourself first thing every day? Don’t get up each morning and wait to see how you feel and then talk about every feeling you have to anyone who will listen. If you do that, you are giving your emotions authority over you. Instead, get up praising God for His goodness in your life. Let words of thankfulness fuel a life of peace and joy.

Father, thank You that I can choose what kind of attitude I am going to have by choosing to speak words of life each day. No matter how I feel or what is going on around me, I’m going to encourage and strengthen my spirit, not my flesh.

Transformation doesn’t happen overnight, and the process can seem very slow at times. But that doesn’t change the fact that one of the benefits of living in a relationship with Jesus is the freedom to forget the past and move ahead into what God has for us.

When you are tempted to condemn yourself over the progress you think you should be making, turn your focus back on Jesus and be thankful that He is doing His work in your life in His perfect timing. Remind yourself, “God loves me and He has a good plan for my life. I haven’t arrived yet, but I’m okay and I’m on my way!” Remember that through faith you have been made right with God, and even though you have not arrived at perfection, you are making progress.

Thank You, Father, that You are transforming my life in Your perfect timing. I trust You, and I choose not to feel condemned or frustrated anymore. You are at work in my life, and I am grateful for that.

Some people seem to have the idea that to be a Christian they have to give up everything they enjoy, but that is not true. God is love, He is good, and He wants us to enjoy good things. The Bible says God gives us all things ceaselessly to enjoy (see 1 Timothy 6:17). God loves us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to take our sins and give us life, and life more abundantly (see John 3:16; 10:10). That’s something to be forever grateful for! Anything God teaches us not to do is only for our benefit. We obey His commands for our own good according to the Word of God.

When we receive Jesus, we receive the kingdom of God within us, and that kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (see Romans 14:17). We can choose to continue living with misery, depression, discouragement, fear, worry, anxiety, guilt, and condemnation, but Jesus wants us to receive freedom from those things. God doesn’t want us carrying them around any longer. Through Jesus, we can live the joyful, overcoming, abundant life we were meant to live.

Father, help me to realize that You have nothing but good things in store for my life. Thank You that even when You correct and instruct me, You are showing me a better way to live. I am grateful for Your goodness and the joyful life I can experience in You.