a thankful heart.

Sometimes, well almost always it seems, I forget to look at all the good I have in my life. I mean, human nature is to be selfish which causes my blindness to God's blessings, glory and power. He chose me and provides me with more than I need and what do I do with it? Complain. It's not warm enough, their service was too slow, they were mean to me, I'm sure the list could go on forever. As I am sitting here, I began to look over old notes from church. A couple things I wrote stuck out to me.

Referring to Revelation 3:18 I wrote, "Christ will show you true riches and you will understand how to live in His presence." How much of that can I say is true in my own life? When I reflect on the blessings and wonders of the One who saved me, I see greatness, love, mercy, etc. But when I don't purposefully take the time to do that and something great happens, what are my thoughts? Usually nothing, just a "Hey that's cool!" and then I move on. Surely this is not what God is looking for by blessing His people. After all, He is a selfish God who created us to glorify Him in all we do. Instead my response is no or little response. How selfish and foolish am I to not even recognize my Savior when, even though I live in a broken world, all I need to do is glance around me to see His blessings and glory! If I can't even muster up a simple "thank you" in the midst of all this, who am I to even try to preach God's love and grace?! Don't get me wrong, my Momma raised me to be thankful for things but I am talking about a deeper kind of thankfulness.

In another set of sermon notes I came across was talking about being content with what He has given me. No more of always wanting more. I am becoming more of a woman every day, it seems I should know God will always provide more that I could ever need. It is so easy to get caught up in the moment and lose sight of what I'm living for. I'm not living only for the promise of Heaven but for fulfilling His perfect plan for my life. It is so important to recognize that where God has me right now is exactly where I need to be because He is preparing me for what is to come. I need to strive to make myself usable. I need to fall in love with Him all over again.  

What are you thankful for today?

open hands.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me - everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you."
                                                                                                 Philippians 4:6-8

I am going to be honest. I am very good at worrying about everything. I have always been one of those annoying "what-if" people. Hearing the first line of these verses, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything," sometimes drives me crazy. Don't people know that is so much harder said than done?!

And then I wonder why I only drift in and out of God's peace, not dwell in it permanently.

I am also very good at telling God all of my needs (at least what I think my needs are). I pray and pour my heart out to God and sing songs about surrendering everything to Him but then an hour later, the same thoughts and worries consume my mind.

I think so often as Christians we hear verses like this and tune out because we have heard them so often. In doing so, we miss out on such big things! For example:

1. God wants to know our needs.

     - - God desires the kind of relationship with us that we can cry out to Him when we are in need or struggling.

2. God deserves our thanks.

     - - Remember all that He has done for us already and give thanks! Are you breathing? He loves you so much he gave you that breath! If He can give life, what is stopping Him from providing everything else in life for you?

3. God gives peace.

     - - We all know how much better it feels to finally talk it out with someone. Just imagine what it would be like to talk it out with the Creator who already knows you better than you know yourself!

4. God wants us to continue to live in Christ.

     - - Giving things over to God isn't a one-time deal so continually and purposely recognize what things you are still holding on to.

5. God wants us to focus our thoughts on His desires.

     - - Something I struggle with after trying to give something over to the Lord is that I continue to think about it. Because of this, nothing really changes. I have gone through the motions but my focus doesn't always change; if it does, it's only for a little bit.

6. God wants us to practice it.

     - - This means that it's probably not going to be the easiest thing to do. I will still try to and successfully take things back into my own hands and look at the world through my eyes and not Gods. But that doesn't mean to give up. It takes practice.

God has been teaching me so much through different situations in my life. He is showing me what it's like to hold on to things with open hands so that He may still have control of my life. And let me tell you... sometimes it's hard, sometimes it hurts, and sometimes I might not understand. But in the end, it is all for His glory.

What are some things God is asking you to give up?

Blessings,
Stephanie

beautiful things.

Just what I needed to hear today.

Beautiful Things - Gungor