The Power of Being Thankful: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude (63 page)

We can spend all our time thinking and talking about what is wrong in the world or we can choose to concentrate on the good things. We can focus on what is wrong with a family member, friend, or coworker or we can purposely look for and highlight what is right.

If nine things are wrong and we only see two we feel are right, we can make the two seem larger than the nine—just by what we choose to concentrate on. This is a good time to remind yourself that you can choose your own thoughts. I have heard many people say, “I just can’t control my thought life.” The truth is that they chose to concentrate on the wrong thoughts.

Choose to concentrate on godly, faith-filled thoughts. Let your first response in any situation be to see the good, not the bad. Speak out loud and say, “I trust God completely. I know He has a plan. He is going to do something good in my life!”

Father, thank You that there are good things all around me to focus on. Help me see the best in people, not the worst. Thank You that I can choose my thoughts and I can enjoy the life You’ve given me.

When you know the following scriptural truths, you can’t help being thankful…

We know that we
are
children of God, and that we
are
called, anointed, and appointed by Him for greatness. We
are
destined to bring glory to God and be molded into the image of Jesus Christ. We
have
(not will have) righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. We
are
forgiven for all of our sins—even ones we haven’t done yet—and our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Jesus
has
gone before us to prepare a place for us, so that where He is, we may be also.

We know that until He returns for us, He
has
sent His Holy Spirit as our guarantee of the even greater good things that
are
to come. We
are
guaranteed an inheritance, for it
was
purchased with the blood of Jesus. We
have
a new covenant and
are
offered a new way of living!

I thank You today, Father, for these promises that I can declare with the authority of Scripture. I know that I am Yours and no one and nothing can separate me from Your love. Thank You for that assurance.

When you know the following scriptural truths, you can’t help being thankful…

We
are
made new creatures in Christ, old things
have
passed away and all things
have
become brand-new. We
can
let go of past mistakes and press toward the mark of perfection. We know that
God loves us
with an everlasting, unconditional love, and that His mercy endures forever. We know that all things
are
possible with God and we
can
do all things through Christ who is our strength.

We know that God never allows more to come on us than we can bear, but He
always
provides a way out, a safe place to land. We know that
all
things work together for good to those who love God and
are
called according to His purpose, and that what our enemies meant for harm, God intends for good. We know that He
is
our Vindicator, our Redeemer, and Restorer. He makes all things new!

Father, I pray that those words won’t just be something I read, but they would take root deep in my heart. Thank You for Your promises. I believe them and choose to live in them today and from every day forward.

What your life amounts to is directly connected to what you think of yourself. We need to learn to think like God thinks. We must learn to identify with Christ and the new person He has made us to be.

In Scripture, God uses words such as “beautiful,” “honored,” “valued,” and “precious” when He is speaking of His children. There is no doubt that we are far less than perfect, that we have faults and weaknesses, but God is God and He views us the way He knows we can be.

He sees us as a finished project while we are making the journey. He sees the end from the beginning and is not worried about what takes place in between. He is not pleased with our sin and bad behavior, but He will never give up on us and He always encourages us to press on. God believes in you!

I am grateful, Father, that You are a good Father who loves me unconditionally. Help me to see myself as You see me. Thank You that even though I am a work in progress, You already have the finished result in mind.

Learning to hear from God is very exciting. God wants to speak to us about the plan He has for our lives. His plan is a good plan, but we are in danger of missing it if we don’t learn how to listen to and obey God’s voice.

God speaks to us in many ways. He speaks to us through His Holy Spirit dwelling in us, through that “knowing” deep inside us, and through peace. He may also speak through other people, circumstances, wisdom, nature, and even through dreams or visions.

However, the two most prevalent ways God speaks to us are through His Word and the inward witness in our hearts. The Word of God is a valuable gift that we should be thankful for because it is God’s direct message to us—it is unchanging and infallible. As you are learning to hear from God, always make sure the inward witness of your heart lines up with Scripture.

Father, thank You that You still speak to Your children. I pray that You will help me hear You and follow Your direction for my life. Thank You that You are teaching me how to follow Your leading in my life.