“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”  

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV      

November 26, 2017, my family was reading from our family devotional: The Power of Being Thankful by Joyce Meyer.  As my daughter began to read from page 330, “Changing the World Around You – 1 Corinthians 13:13, my heart began to sink, because I knew the verse, and I knew God was using these words to speak to the deepest hurt in my heart.

1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.

I was faced with a situation that continued to resurface almost habitually, earlier in the morning as we were getting ready for church.  In this moment, I felt my chest caving in.  Instead of pausing and praying, I allowed anger, sadness and confusion to overcome me.  I couldn’t understand why someone, who was supposed to love me and my babies unconditionally would act so small towards one of my kiddos.

After reassuring my son that he was perfect and I was still filled with turmoil.  I kept hearing scripture tell me, Ephesians 6:1, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right, ² “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise.  You might be asking what does GRATITUDE have to do with all of this, well it is the root of why I am faced with this situation continually.  

My childhood doesn’t look anything like my kiddos does, but that is because my life is very different.  I decided a long time ago that I would look at my circumstances through lenses filled with GRATITUDE!  Never a 1/2 empty girl… I have lived that life before and that is never a story I want to live again.  I want to always be thankful for what I have and see it as “enough.”  I am grateful every day for every life experience I have had and my family has had.  I am honestly thankful for my childhood, because without the childhood I had I would not have been equipped for the journey God has set my family on.  Which leads me into the story… 

I was faced with an opportunity to teach my kids something.  Would I live out scripture and “Give thanks in ALL circumstances” or would I let anger, frustration and hurt rob me of my joy.  Would I chose to show love to the unloveable or would I respond as small as this person behaved?  I had a choice… God gives us free will and we have a choice on how we respond to our circumstances.  The words, “Changing the World Around You” hit me.  Would I be selfish, discouraged and let self-pity be what shapes my view of my situation or would I focus on what God has provided.  Which leads me to God’s message for me…

After praying over this person and asking forgiveness for the harshness in my heart, we went to service where, our Pastor spoke on “The Power of Gratitude.”  He used the visual of a vase with water in it and asked us all, how we saw our lives through this vase?  Are you a 1/2 full or a 1/2 empty person?  I am definitely a 1/2 full person and I genuinely feel grateful for the life God has provided, the people he has placed in my life, the job he’s provided for my husband and I, and the family he has given me.  Life will NEVER be storybook perfect, however, if we choose to look at our circumstances with GRATITUDE, we have the ability to experience God like nothing else.  What does that mean?  When we can trust that God is in control, we have the ability to release control.  When we want to be in control, we worry, panic, stress and don’t trust that God is equipped to handle our circumstances.  There is true peace that comes when we give God back the control and are able to genuinely praise him in the storm.  

I am not sure where you are in your life story, but I pray that if you are in a chapter of favor or a chapter of struggles you will celebrate the life you have and how God has been faithful to you.  When we can praise God in our journey, we can see him in the midst of the chaos easier.  My challenge to each of you as you move into the Christmas season is to pause daily and see how God showed up in your day.  

• Don’t get frustrated with the interruptions in your day, welcome them.  
• Don’t be frustrated when traffic is at a stop.  Praise God for your safety! 
• Don’t covet what you don’t have!  Celebrate all you do have.  

I pray that each day you will see God and the beauty that he has created all around you!  

Prayer of Gratitude:  

Heavenly Father, we praise you for the life you have provided!  I thank you for your word and your promises.  I thank you for the opportunity to look at my story through eyes of Gratitude and with grace.  Lord, thank you for always being faithful in the midst of my storms and times of favor.  As I journey through this day I pray that you will guide my steps and I will seek opportunities to love on those you place in my path.  Lord, give me eyes that will see you in every situation I come across.  Lord, I release control and I give you my life, do with it what you will.  In your name we pray, Amen!

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Verses… 

James 1:19-20; “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  

Psalm 59:16-17; “But I will sing of yoru strength, in the morning I will sing of your love, for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.  You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I rely.  

Philipians 4:6-8; ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  The New International Version. (2011). (Php 4:4–9). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.