Ever find yourself focusing on the negative and complaining when you should be thanking? Ever slip into a the doldrums of despair over what's NOT going well instead of seeing all the good things that ARE happening right before your eyes? It's easy to get distracted by what's out of balance and what might not be working out so well in your life, and as a result, overlook the small miracles that are occurring all around you; we've all made that mistake at least once before. Probably lots of times if we're honest. But we've got to remember to stop and thank God for the areas of abundance, favor, and productivity in our lives, even though there may be other areas of famine, struggle, and difficulty.
You see, our attitude of praise and thanksgiving can't be reserved exclusively for days when everything is going our way. Oh no. We've got to be like David and say, "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1 KJV). Not only when things are going great... but at ALL TIMES.
I'll bless Him when I'm hurting.
I'll bless Him when I'm disappointed
I'll bless Him when I'm being mistreated...
No matter what the situation might look like, you've go to make up in your mind that you're going to give the Lord thanks anyhow. I know things might not be coming together according to YOUR plans, but God is still in control, and He's yet worthy to be praised.
The next time you feel like complaining, take a moment to think back on where He brought you from. Consider where you COULD HAVE BEEN had it not been for the Lord on your side. Take a stroll down memory lane and call to mind those times when God delivered you in the midst of impossible circumstances. Then remind yourself that, "You may not know how, you may not know when, but He'll do it again!"
When you stop complaining and start thanking, your perspective changes...and once your perspective changes, then and only then, can your situation change.
So today I want to admonish you to thank God through the good and the bad, knowing that everything will be all right!
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
