Can you find thanksgiving in sorrow. Can you experience a good and peace all day?
The other day I was running errands for dave (yeah I can see to drive) and I was at the check out. The lady behind the counter let out this huge sigh.
“Rough day?” I asked.
“Rough life”, she responded.
I did not want to jump on her and preach to her (like do you know what I’m experiencing?), but gently encouraged her to be grateful. She had a nice smile and eyes…I told her she could be thankful for those.
Then another day I felt Holy Spirit released me to go on camera with some thoughts. My message? No matter what is going on have a heart of thanksgiving. Video below.
But then it happened. As I went through my day yesterday an irritated, cranky grump emerged out of me. I knew it and that just made me all the more cranky. A problem here and a delay there and I was just so unsettled. As I went on my final errand, I practiced thanking and praising God even though my emotions were not lining up. By the end of the day God helped me settle down and get that peaceful disposition back.
How about you? I know there is much stress and problems which you are facing. I’m sorry. The ache can follow you and chew on your heels like a lost puppy looking for a home.
My mentor at this moment, thru a book by Elisabeth Elliot, said this:
“How to deal with suffering of any kind. Number one, I wrote, ‘Recognize it.’ Number two, ‘Accept it.’ Number three, ‘Offer it to God as a sacrifice.’ And number four, ‘Offer yourself with it.’ Elisabeth Elliot Elliot, Elisabeth. Suffering Is Never for Nothing (p. 45). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
That does not mean you stop praying or believing. But you can think of it like this: No matter what I can experience “Good and peace all day.”
Where is good amidst cancer, suffering, lack, relational difficulties, pain?
Well, God is still on the throne. He is still a faithful and loving God. He is always near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34)
He is sovereign. He is loving. He is forgiving.
What does God really require of this in those moments? How do we offer thanks?
Look at this verse:
“The life that pleases me is a life lived in the gratitude of grace, always choosing to walk with me in what is right. This is the sacrifice I desire from you. If you do this, more of my salvation will unfold for you.”
Psalms 50:23 TPT
Sacrifice. Gratitude of grace. Choosing to walk with Him.
So walking in a good and peaceful place, even tho it may make no sense to those around you, is the sacrifice of your mind to trust HIM. Your ducks will never line up in a row. You may never really figure it out in your natural mind.
So I lean into God and get to experience good and peace all day life.
This might not make sense from any other standpoint except that of eternity.
This is why…listen to this friend…You don’t need explanations.
What do you need instead?
You need a person. And His name is Jesus Christ.
He is your refuge, your stronghold, your fortress, your hope, your glory and your ANSWER.
Sometimes it takes a total crash in desolation to really instruct us in our need of HIM.
I heard the Vinedresser say this…
“Walk on and see how I will empower you to seize the fulfillment of My promises in your life, in your family, in your destiny.
“I have established this all ahead of time child. I’m giving you an unshakeable hope and never ending glory. Like a strong, huge, unbreakable anchor thrown out into the stormy seas of your life tsunami, you can hope in Me.
“For I am in the wild wind, the dark clouds, the freezing faith times of your life. This anchor of hope is tightly fastened to the mercy seat of My unshakable love radiating to you from the heavenly realm….”
Love the Vinedresser
Hope this is just what you need to read today,…May you have a good and peaceful all day experience….. I am always an e-mail away.
In the Vine,
Theresa
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