Thankful In Everything

It has been a very busy season around The Glades this fall. Sugar cane harvest, sweet corn and vegetables are being planted and harvested, fall sports of every kind, and of course, lots of activities at church. When things get so hectic, I know I tend to slack off on my relationship with Christ. You know the drill (or maybe you are one of those “disciplined” people, and therefore you don’t)…late getting up and around in the morning because I was up too late the night before because I was trying to finish up the things I didn’t get done during the day.  Rinse and Repeat. This turns into a cycle of loneliness and isolation from the Father. I have to be very careful or I end up in “a funk.”

One of the ways I am trying to combat the “funk” is reading a daily devotional called Jesus Calling:Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young. It is a great little book with short “phone calls” or “conversations” with the Lord set in the first person, like you are having a phone conversation with Him. It never fails that there is always a great word within the Word for me when I read that day’s entry.

Today’s entry was particularly good for me because we are in the middle of an uptick in crime around here and “life” can get you down. We had another shooting last night, which makes 5 in the last week. God, please stop our violence! I truly wish that the people of the Glades would find True Peace…Peace that can only be found in Christ!

THANKFULNESS takes the sting out of adversity. That is why I have instructed you to give thanks for everything. There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience— at times, blind obedience. To people who don’t know Me intimately, it can seem irrational and even impossible to thank Me for heartrending hardships. Nonetheless, those who obey Me in this way are invariably blessed, even though difficulties may remain. Thankfulness opens your heart to My Presence and your mind to My thoughts. You may still be in the same place, with the same set of circumstances, but it is as if a light has been switched on, enabling you to see from My perspective. It is this Light of My Presence that removes the sting from adversity.

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.EPHESIANS 5: 20 

Young, Sarah (2012-10-09). Jesus Calling: Enjoy Peace in His Presence (Kindle Locations 4853-4861). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

I like that…“There is an element of mystery in this transaction: You give Me thanks (regardless of your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances). This is a spiritual act of obedience— at times, blind obedience.”

I need to give God thanks for ALL the wonderful things He has given me, regardless of my feelings or how much (or little) stuff I have at the time. I need to be THANKFUL for Belle Glade, regardless of my feelings about the crime and abuses. And honestly, this spiritual act of obedience seems from all accounts a “blind” obedience for me right now. (Doesn’t sound too positive a few minutes before a Thanksgiving Morning message, huh?) Oh well, just keeping it real for you peeps.

Take some time this week to truly thank the one who gave and continues to give and give and give. I know that that spiritual act of obedience will touch the heart of God.