“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-22 MSG)
REFLECTION
I’ve found that gratitude is the gateway to joy. I don’t mean walking around with a fixed false smile on my face. I mean being open to receiving true joy (that resides in the heart, irrespective of circumstances) when I’m intentionally grateful for what I do have (not sulking about what I don’t have). When I give thanks to God, mindful of all that He has done (and is doing) for, in and through us, trust deepens in that I’m more aware that He knows exactly what we truly need and when we need it, which prompts me to praise Him. And this posture of praise positions me to persevere in faith.
Dictionary.com defines the noun grit as fortitude and determination. And both gratitude and grit are needed to navigate reality wisely with strong minds and soft hearts, open to the direction and correction of the Lord.
So let’s move forward with thanksgiving, mindful of the goodness and greatness of God, as we prayerfully deal with the realities of everyday life.
PRAYER POEM
Our marvellous and merciful Maker, the only omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient perfect One. Thank You for sending Your one and only Son, in whomever we find freedom forever and who infuses us with inner strength and confident peace as we navigate reality enroute to victory.
