Have you read the book of Phillipians or any of Paul's writings? Here this man was who went through so much, yet his mind was never focused on his trials or the bad things going on to him or around him. Read the book of Phillipians in the Bible (or any of Paul's writings) and you will find the words "joy", "rejoice", and similiar words several times over. Do you have something bothering you today? Do you have a complaint today? Are you suffering through a trial today?
We cannot always help our thoughts or our feelings or the situations going on around us, but we can do something about how we react--how we get through them. We can help what we do! Is there ever a time we don't have something to be thankful for? May it never be!!!
1) We have been created. We are alive and here today! The all-powerful Creator God of the universe created us (ME and YOU). He wants us to "be". And it is His creation that surrounds us. We always have creation to be thankful for.
2) We have a Savior who fulfilled the plan of redemption! No if's, and's, or but's about it--Jesus already paid the penalty of sin (that means WE can stop banging ourselves over the head for it). He already did! Jesus has conquered this world and the prince of darkness who claims it is his. Everything that might be making your day a little less pleasurable or could make your day a little less pleasurable--He already has claimed victory over! And He is coming very soon to show us that they are not going to plague this world forever...that we can have a perfect, peaceful, harmonious world filled will love, happiness, peace and all the things our hearts truly desire. And better yet, we can have peace now--even if we don't have all the other stuff yet, and even if we have something that is making our day a little less pleasurable...all we need to do is do what Paul wrote in the above verse in Phillipians, and we can have that peace NOW! Have you thanked the Lord today? Have you lifted a praise for His love and His friendship? Have you talked to Him today?
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you...'" John 14:27,28
The same Lord who spoke those words to men long ago, still speaks to us today. He still offers that peace, and He is still coming back. Today, whatever tugs at your heart, whether it be sickness, pain for a loved one, hurt feelings, an overwhelming schedule, anger between yourself and another, worries about finances, a loss...give it to Jesus today. Tell Him you want Him to take over the heavy load and praise Him for being willing to do it. Then feel your heart be lifted. Fell the awesome peace He will give you in place of your troubles. Do what you can to make ammends with another, do what you can to get your finances fixed, grieve if you must over a loss...do what you can...but leave the rest up to Jesus. He tells us to "cast our cares" upon Him. He can only make it better for you. Take care, and may God bless!
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