The Power of Being Thankful: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude (51 page)

One of the biggest mistakes we make is to think we have no control over how we feel or what we do. God has given us a spirit of discipline and self-control, and it is called
self
-control because God gives us this tool to control ourselves. We all have it, but do we use it?

Anything we have but never use becomes dormant and powerless. Do you work out regularly? Why do you do that? You exercise to keep your bones and your muscles strong—to guard your health. Thankfully, God has given us self-control, and we can use it to guard our spiritual, emotional, and physical health. But we have to use that muscle in order for it to work properly. When we do, we begin to experience a new level of strength that only self-control can bring. Self-control is your friend, not your enemy. It helps you be the person you truly want to be.

Father, thank You that I have self-control. Help me to live a self-controlled life and follow Your Spirit rather than my flesh. Thank You that with Your help, I can have victory over the flesh and live in the freedom of Your Spirit.

The words you say determine much of your attitude and outlook on life. If you will make a decision that you are going to say as little as possible about your problems and disappointments in life, they won’t dominate your thoughts and your mood. It’s time we stopped focusing on our problems and started focusing on the goodness of God.

If you talk as much as possible about your blessings and hopeful expectations with a thankful attitude, your frame of mind will match them. Be sure each day is filled with words that fuel love, peace, and joy, not anger, depression, bitterness, and fear. Talk yourself into a better mood! Find something positive to say in every situation, remaining thankful for the blessings of God that are all around you.

Thank You, Father, for every blessing You have given me. I choose to focus on You and Your provision in my life, rather than focusing on my problems or needs. I know that You are going to provide for me, and so I will keep my focus, my faith, and the words I speak centered around You.

Many times we make a plan, and then pray for it to work. But God wants us to pray first and ask Him for His plan. After we have His plan, then He wants us to trust Him to bring it to pass. We can live with an attitude of praise and thanksgiving, knowing that God’s plans always succeed.

Activity birthed out of the flesh, our own effort without God, actually prevents God from showing Himself strong in our lives. The Bible describes that kind of activity as “works of the flesh.” I’ve come to realize that works of the flesh are “works that don’t work.” That is not the way to live the higher life that God has prepared for us. Pray first, ask God for His plan, and trust Him to work in your life.

Father, thank You for the gift of prayer. Instead of leaning on my understanding today, I am going to come to You first and ask that You show me Your plan for today and for my life.

The story is told of a little boy who was overheard talking to himself in his backyard. He was wearing a baseball cap and carrying a ball and bat: “I’m the greatest hitter in the world,” he announced. Then he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, but missed. “Strike one!” he yelled. He picked up the ball and said again, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” He tossed the ball into the air. He swung again and missed. “Strike two!” he yelled. He straightened his cap and said one last time, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” He tossed the ball up into the air and swung at it. He missed. “Strike three! Wow!” he exclaimed. “I’m the greatest
pitcher
in the world!”

A thankful, positive, never-give-up attitude will change your outlook and change your life.

Father, help me to see life in a new way. I thank You that because You are with me, I never have to feel like a failure again. You have a plan for my life. If I swing and miss, it just means that You have something better in store.

Faith stands firm, but fear takes flight and runs away. We are letting fear rule us if we run from what God wants us to confront. When the Israelites were afraid of Pharaoh and his army, God told Moses to tell them to “fear not; stand still… and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13).

We will never see or experience God’s delivering power if we run from things in fear. Stand still and see what God will do for you. Trust Him, be thankful for His faithfulness, and give Him a chance to show His power and goodness to you.

When fear knocks on the door, send faith to answer. Don’t speak your fears; speak faith. Say what God would say in your situation—say what His Word says, not what you think or feel.

Help me, Father, to stand firm when I feel anxious or afraid. I thank You that because You are with me, I have nothing to fear. Today, I will choose to stand firm rather than shrink back when I feel fear in my life.