“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
Being thankful in all things is one of the most powerful things we can do for our internal wellbeing. When we are thankful, we deflect the negativity that would attempt to rule our spirit.
Being thankful in all things is one of the most powerful things we can do for our internal wellbeing. When we are thankful, we deflect the negativity that would attempt to rule our spirit. For it is the enemy who seeks to hinder us from being thankful. It is through comparing our lives to others when the seed of disruption takes place and robs us of contentment and perfect peace.
When our hearts are thankful in the smallest of things, we cannot be conquered by the mightiest of things.
We must therefore not allow ourselves to fall into bitterness and discouragement. It is through these feelings when we fall into a negative and depressed lifestyle. Therefore, we must always be thankful and pray without ceasing to our Heavenly Father. For when our hearts are thankful in the smallest of things, we cannot be conquered by the mightiest of things. So long as we seek to find something to be thankful for, the enemy will not be able to enter in and hinder us from our walk with Christ.
The more someone posts on social media, the greater their insecurity.
It can be tough, however, when our eyes focus on the material. Social media loves to selfishly show-off and reveal the best parts of our lives. However, this portrayal never corresponds to reality. For I am convinced that the more someone posts the greater their insecurity.
It is when someone constantly needs to update the world on what they are doing and all the fun they are having that they do not have a strong confidence in Christ. They themselves may not even post for others to see, but rather to convince themselves that they have a good life.
Dear brother and sister, we do not need to play the game of social media and reveal all of what we have. We should be thankful for the ability to use social media and keep in touch with friends and family. If our main purpose, however, is to reveal to the entire world of all we get to do, then we are most certainly more focused on the material than the spiritual. For God desires us to be real and genuine with each other, and to set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:1).
We must set the soul’s eyes upon God alone and glory in His tender kindness and gracious mercies.
We must set the soul’s eyes upon God alone and glory in His tender kindness and gracious mercies. We must seek to be thankful in all circumstances, rather than fall into depression through comparison. “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works” (Psalm 9:1 NKJV). We must seek to share with others what God has done in our lives, rather than compare our lives with others.
O, if we could only keep those who have nothing at the forefront of our minds, then we would see how we truly have everything! We sit around in discouragement, while others barely make it through the day. Many homeless people have been wearing the same socks, underwear, pants and shirt for the last three weeks. Yet, we complain when our clothes are no longer cool amongst our friends.
We sit around and indulge in food without a second thought of thanking God, while thousands will cease to exist in this life due to starvation. We have a vehicle with heat and A/C that can adjust to the different seasons, while multitudes must wait at the bus stop during the cold winter months. We have all these things and yet still have a tendency to be unthankful. O if we could just see that we are so blessed. If we could simply know that it is only by God’s Providence, Grace and Sovereignty that we are where we are and have what we have.
To be intoxicated with God through a heart of thankfulness is the soul’s greatest delight.
To be intoxicated with God through a heart of thankfulness is the soul’s greatest delight. To see that all things are meant and allowed by God to make us more like Christ is the greatest disposition. To view all that we have as God's blessings to us is the art of thankfulness. To see ourselves made in His image and given an individual identity that is set apart from everyone else is to see how blessed we truly are!
It is in being thankful to God where peace and contentment can be found.
O if we could only live a life of thankfulness! For it is in being thankful to God where peace and contentment can be found. It is in striving to see God in every aspect of our day that we prohibit the enemy from entering into the chamber of our soul. For the thankful soul is deaf to the enemy’s lies and makes all negativity die.
We must therefore thank God in all things, for all things have been given by Him. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17 NKJV).
The more we have in this life, the less we have in the next.
May the Lord give all of us the revelation that it is when we acquire more things that our soul ceases to sing. It is when we gain more in the material realm, that our soul’s thirst for the higher spiritual things becomes inhibited. For the more we have in this life, the less we have in the next. It is the world that distracts us from that which truly matters. It is the world that constantly speaks to us and says “get more, get more. Live your life. You don’t have enough. You need this.” It is that which is visible that distracts us from the invisible. For if we do not have the maturity to keep a grateful heart and give thanks to God, then all spiritual power and productivity in our life will be robbed.
We must, therefore, always remain steadfast in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us. We must allow Him to reveal to us the truth that a dissatisfied man is a selfish man. Those who cannot sit and wait upon God and be thankful for the season they are in will either slow the process or dissolve what God wanted to do in and through that person entirely.
People love to reveal the external, but hate taking time to look at the internal. So long as externalities must be publicized, thankfulness will continually die.
Let us, therefore, come before the Throne of God and be thankful! Let us see how blessed we are compared to others. Though it may appear from social media that everyone’s life is so grand, it is mere dilution. For people love to reveal the external, but they hate taking time to look at the internal. So long as externalities must be publicized, thankfulness will continually die.
It is in setting and engaging the heart to give thanks to the Lord, that our soul becomes filled with joy and peace that transcends human understanding. It is through a thankful heart, where all good things start. So long as we give thanks and praise to God, our minds will forever be in awe. For as He has blessed us abundantly now, He will continue to do so. Not because we deserve it. Not because we have earned it, but simply because of Who He is.
The blessings that come from Him are not always physical, but are also spiritual. As we thank God each day, we will grow in a genuine love for Him. We will see His glory manifested both in and outside our lives. We will no longer live in a state of comparison, but we will allow contentment to have its place.
May Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) flood our soul as we go into this week: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You are the God of all things. That which is good, pure, righteous and holy dwell within Your Being. You alone, O God, have authority to give good gifts. You alone love us unconditionally. Lord, we thank You for Your Son Who died upon the Cross for our sins. We thank You, Lord, for the Holy Spirit that guides and directs our steps. We thank You for food, clothing, and shelter. Lord, You have blessed us abundantly! Even if we are in a tough situation with our family and finances, You, O Lord, have allowed it for a Divine purpose. We ourselves cannot imagine why we go through the trials of our life, but You know; for You allow nothing to come into our life without reason. We are thankful for this Truth, O God. May all areas and seasons of life draw us closer to You. May we allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify us. We trust in You, O God, for You are faithful. We thank You that You called us. We are thankful that You were willing to send Your Son to the Cross, in order that we might have fellowship with You. May all come to believe in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We thank You for all things, Lord. You are the One Who made all things and have a plan for all things. Glory be to You, Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine