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Those of us who are lucky enough to live in the modern day world are so
very spoiled. We have more than we need or deserve, but our perspective
is so limited that if a simple problem comes our way, we are quick to
forget of our great abundance and we hurriedly murmur and complain about
that negative situation. When we are quick to complain about the simple
things that really have no importance or relevance to our life, we are
showing the Lord by our actions that we don't appreciate all that He has
graciously given to us. When we complain, we say to God “I don't believe
that You have my best interest in mind.” When we complain, we hinder God's
blessings from overtaking our life. The Lord doesn't reward disobedience,
He doesn't promote those who aren't faithful, but rather He seeks after
those who remember His goodness, who proclaim His favor, who are quick to
give thanks and praise for all that He has given to them.
(Philippians 2:14-15) (Malachi 3:13-16-17)
I have found that whatever state I am in, being thankful helps to keep me
encouraged. If I find myself in a tough situation, I think of the person
who has it harder than me. If I come across a discouraging situation, I
give thanks to God that He is still with me and that all will be well in
the end. My confession is always one of praise, thanksgiving, optimism
and hope. I never look at the darkness and complain about how dark it
is. I choose to believe that the darkest of nights are followed by the
most glorious and light filled days. I always see my glass as half full
and never half empty. What I have realized is that being an optimist is a
lifestyle choice. One can't be a constant complainer and be an optimist
at the same time. You are either one or the other, but you can't be both.
So why should we always look on the bright side? Why should we choose to
be thankful instead of complaining about the trial that is in our path?
The answer is simple. It is to your benefit to choose to focus on the
good in your life even when there is bad in it. Looking at the darkness
and then complaining about how dark it is does not help your situation, it
does not improve your mindset, it does not alleviate any stress that you
might have, but if you look at the darkness and say “Lord I trust that You
will light my path and that all things will work together for my good.”
When you say “I trust that You will never leave me nor forsake me and that
I will become better, wiser and stronger after the trial”, you will be
blessing your future by showing your faith and confidence in the Lord's
ability to deliver you. (Romans 8:28) (James 1:2-4)
A quote I think of often says “I heard of a man who complained about not
having any shoes, until he met a man who had no feet.” When tough times
come our way, let us think of those who aren't as fortunate as we are, and
in a matter of seconds we will begin to be thankful for the tiny cross
that we carry that seemed so large beforehand. We must realize that we
are blessed beyond our comprehension and God has given us much more than
we deserve. We must be grateful for our life and let God know that we are
thankful for His blessings. The Lord Jesus talked about gratitude when He
healed the 10 lepers and only one came back to glorify God and show his
thankfulness. He healed 10, but only one showed his thankfulness. Let us
not be like those nine who quickly forgot God's goodness, but let us be
like that exceptional one who will be quick to remember God's goodness and
God's faithfulness. Let us continually give thanks for His grace, mercy
and love that is beyond our comprehension. (Luke 17:11-19)
Let this message be a simple reminder for you to put away all murmuring
and complaining and let us think of how much we have to be thankful for.
Let us remember our family, our children, our spouse, our friends, our
health, our jobs and anything else that you can think of to give thanks
for. It may be the simplest of things, but if we give thanks for it, God
will be well pleased because we recognized our abundance and we showed our
appreciation for the blessings that God has bestowed upon our life.
(1 Corinthians 10:10-12)
I encourage you again to be a believer, be a praiser, be filled with
encouragement and hope and have the deep and assured knowing that nothing
can come your way without God already knowing about it and making provision
for it. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.”
Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my
supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in
Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my
song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving
strength of His anointed.”
Psalm 147:3-7 “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.
Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite. The
LORD lifteth up the meek: He casteth the wicked down to the ground. Sing
unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.”
1 Chronicles 16:8-13 “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make
known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, talk
ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His Holy Name: let the heart of
them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His
face continually. Remember His marvellous works that He hath done, His
wonders, and the judgments of His mouth; O ye seed of Israel His servant,
ye children of Jacob, His chosen ones.”
Psalm 111:1-5 “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole
heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works
of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honourable and glorious: and His righteousness endureth for
ever. He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is
gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear
Him: He will ever be mindful of His covenant.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: AFTER THE RAIN
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem84.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: RESCUED FROM DEPRESSION
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony37.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
