The Power of Being Thankful: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude (8 page)

One of the most amazing things I’ve learned, something that still thrills my soul, is that love is actually spiritual warfare. This truth makes spiritual warfare fun, because loving people is very enjoyable.

First Peter 4:8 teaches us to have intense love for one another. The
King James Version
uses the word “fervent.” The verb form of the Greek word translated
fervent
means “to be hot, to boil.” Our love walk needs to be hot, on fire, boiling over, not cold and barely noticeable.

If we are hot enough with love, Satan won’t be able to handle us. We might say we’re “too hot to handle.” Have you ever microwaved something for too long and couldn’t get it out because it was too hot to handle? That’s the way we should want to be.

On fire with love—and too much for the devil to handle!

I am grateful, Father, that You love me. Help me to follow Your example and love the people around me. Thank You that regardless of how people act toward me, I can love people with Your perfect, unconditional love.

In years past, soldiers protected themselves with shields, and in Ephesians 6:16, the Bible speaks of “the shield of faith.” Since shields provide protection, faith must be a way to protect ourselves when the enemy attacks. We can be grateful that God gives us a defense system. However, just like with an actual shield, His shield is only effective when it is raised up. It won’t help a soldier if it is on the ground or by his side.

When the devil attacks us with unpleasant circumstances or thoughts that cause us to feel afraid, we should immediately lift up the shield of faith. The way we do that is by deciding that we will trust God instead of trying to figure out our own way to victory. It is helpful to say out loud, “I trust God in this situation!” Say it firmly with conviction. Jesus talked back to Satan by saying “It is written” and quoting Scripture (see Luke 4), and we can do the same.

Father, I thank You that Your Word is a powerful shield, and it is effective against everything the enemy tries to do in my life. My faith is based on Your Word and Your promises for my life.

We really do live in a time-crunched world; just about everything we do seems to be urgent. We live under incredible pressure and run from one thing to the next—to the point that we may neglect the things that are really important in life: family, our health, God, and building up our spiritual lives.

The truth is we cannot handle life apart from God. We cannot handle the pressure, the confusion, and the stress without Him. Our marriages will suffer, we will experience financial pressure, and our relationships won’t thrive if we do not study God’s Word and take time to pray.

But there is good news to be thankful for—God will strengthen us and enable us to handle life peacefully and wisely if we start praying about things instead of merely
trying
to get through the day. God will renew our strength and enable us to handle life and not be weary (see Isaiah 40:31).

Father, I am so thankful that You give me peace and rest even in the midst of a busy life. Help me to lean on You today and use wisdom in setting my schedule. You are the strength of my life and I totally depend on You.

No matter what we do in life, at some point in time we will all face a level of criticism. But it is possible to learn how to cope with criticism and not let it affect your life.

We can be grateful for the example the apostle Paul set for us. Paul experienced criticism often, but he said that he was not concerned about the judgment of others. He knew he was in God’s hands and that in the end he would stand before God and give an account of himself and his life. He would not stand before any man to be judged (see 1 Corinthians 4:3–4).

You may not always do everything right, but God sees your heart. If you’re attempting to live for God and looking for ways to love others, God is pleased (see Matthew 22:37–40). Don’t worry about the criticism of others; God loves you. His love and approval are all you need.

Father, I thank You that I don’t have to listen to the criticism of others. You see my heart and You know my motives. I thank You that Your approval is greater than the approval of any person.

Purposely forgetting about ourselves and doing something for someone else—even while we are hurting—is one of the most powerful things we can do to overcome evil. And thankfully, God can help us do that.

When Jesus was on the cross in intense suffering, He took time to comfort the thief next to Him (see Luke 23:39–43). When Stephen was being stoned, he prayed for those stoning him, asking God not to lay the sin to their charge (see Acts 7:59–60). When Paul and Silas were in prison, they took time to minister to their jailer (see Acts 16:27–34).

If we will wage war against selfishness and walk in love, the world will begin to take notice. We will not impress the world by being just like them. But how many unsaved friends and relatives might come to know Jesus if we genuinely love them instead of ignoring, judging, or rejecting them? I believe it is time to find out, don’t you?

Father, I pray that You will give me the ability to put the needs of others before my own. Thank You that Your love has the power to change lives. Help me demonstrate that power today.