being thankful in everything

Today, once again, Jesus Calling was right on. It's kinda crazy how every day I read this and it just slaps me in the face. Today was no exception. 

June 22: Jesus Calling

THANK ME for the very things that are troubling you. You are on the brink of rebellion, precariously close to shaking your fist in My Face. You are tempted to indulge in just a little complaining about My treatment of you. But once you step over that line, torrents of rage and self-pity can sweep you away. The best protection again this indulgence is thanksgiving. It is impossible to thank Me and curse Me at the same time.

Thanking Me for trials will feel awkward and contrived at first. But if you persist, your thankful words, prayed in faith, will eventually make a difference in your heart. Thankfulness awakens you to My Presence, which overshadows all your problems.

Philippians 4:4-6 (The Message) 

^4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

^6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Psalm 116:17 (NKJV)

I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.

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Awesome, huh?

And did I mention that signs of George approaching are here... which puts me in the throws of self-pity and anger. The Lord knew how much I need to hear this from Him and exactly how to speak to me. 

I think it's safe to say that the "thing that is troubling me" is the fact the Dru and I do not have a baby and have been trying for a long time. I was extremely challenged when I read this devo this morning, because I realized that if I didn't start thanking the Lord now that I would definitely sink down into the depths of the craziness that is self-pity. And that means that I would be missing out on the life that I'm living right now because I would be so concerned about what I don't have in my life. It got me thinking about the things that I am grateful for... here's my list. I'm sure it could go on for pages and pages. I'm blessed beyond comprehension. 

So, today, I am thankful...

I am thankful that the Lord is allowing us to walk through this trial together. 

I am thankful that He is continuing to write our story, no one else's. 

I am thankful for my family and friends that care so deeply for us. 

I am thankful for the opportunities that I have had to talk about how faithful the Lord is and how He is sustaining us. 

I am thankful that the Lord continues to show His faithfulness through our finances, our marriage, and our friends & family. 

It's really hard to think about what you don't have when you thank Him for what you do have. You should totally try it, dare ya :) 

I hope this encourages you and speaks to you as strongly as it did me. No matter what trial you are currently walking through, the Lord is there. He is within reach. Thank Him today for what He has done. 

Happy Saturday night!

KB