Gratitude Boosts Our Joy and Strength…
Welcome back to another Sunday in which we travel the road toward deeper joy and strength…
Let’s assess how we are doing so far…
Are we pausing, reflecting and breathing in the many ways that God makes His joy and strength available to us each and every day?
Are we tapping into God’s Presence during our most hectic and hurried moments, the ones that can so easily steal our delight and stamina?
Are we running to God as our Refuge and Retreat from the chaos of life?
No?
No worries!
I have really good news for us, my friends! Joy and strength are mere words of praise away…
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 serves as our guide…
“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
The Scripture’s emphasis on thanks and praise indeed suggests that a healthy dose of gratitude is a good thing - even a source of joy and strength! After all, gratitude is what changes our attitudes from apathetic to energetic and enthusiastic. It’s what shifts our hearts from dread and fear to expectant hope, anticipation and faith. It’s what lifts our eyes from lack to plenty. And the method doesn’t matter so much as establishing the habit of thanks…
We can include a time of praise as we exercise. We can post 5 things that we are thankful for each day on social media, on our bathroom mirrors or on our household white boards. We can text someone we love what we appreciate about him or her. The options for gratitude are endless because God’s goodness is all around us. We just need vision to find His sweet gifts and surprises strategically tucked in the nuggets of each new day.
Friends, as Scripture demonstrates, thanks, praise and worship are clear mandates from God because His will for us is joy and strength. God knows that gratitude enables us to look higher and higher, above the difficulties and frustrations of life, to the One Who is above it all. It teaches us to find the good, even on our worst days. It helps us to name what is right instead of what is wrong. Gratitude makes the impossible completely possible with a God of limitless possibilities! Whew! I feel stronger and more joyful already!
There really is nothing like a healthy dose of gratitude to boost our joy and strength. Let’s not go a day without it!