“Give thanks to him and praise his name.For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 100:4b-5
God is faithful.
God is kind.
God is generous.
And I am grateful.
I have been meditating recently on the goodness of God to us… my family and I. I have also been marvelling at the many things for which I am thankful to Him. Gratitude has a curious effect on the soul; it awakens humility, faith, hope, and love.
When I consider that all I have is a gift from God, how can I boast? When I call to mind where the Lord has taken me from, the hills and the valleys He’s brought me over and through, can there be room in my heart for pride?
Having reviewed His past faithfulness over the years, reflected on the lows and the highs of my life to this point, my heart is stirred to trust that He will take me through present and future troubles. This nascent faith, blossoms to resilient hope, that seasons will change as they have before; and that my confidence in Jesus will never disappoint – even when things don’t go my way, or “take longer than they should”.
Hope, finally leads my heart to love the lover of my soul. The Ruler of the kings of earth, the Maker of times and seasons, and Ordainer of my days. The One who has a proven record of justice and mercy; and whose goodness allows me to rest confidently in His sovereignty.
All this springs from being thankful.
God is good.
And I am thankful.
Gratefulness changes hearts
Beloved, gratefulness changes our hearts, and rightly shifts our perspectives heavenward. Can I encourage you today, in the midst of the gloom, anxiety, discouragement, boredom, grief or despair, to write down all the things you are thankful to God for?
Call to mind the faithfulness of Jesus. Recollect the many times He has forgiven, healed, provided, extended favour and mercy. The times he opened that door, paid that bill; sent that phone call right when you were at your lowest; heard your prayer for breakthrough for that family member; placed groceries at your door when the cupboard was empty; reconciled that difficult relationship; healed your heart of that deep hurt... Bring to remembrance the numerous occasions when God has been good-- because He has been.
Watch the Lord alter your emotions, and give humility, hope, faith, and love to enable you to persevere.
May the Lord give us grace to be grateful.
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”
Psalm 8:4-6
Francesca Tavares (West Indies) is a daughter, sister, friend, avid reader, attorney-at-law, and porridge connoisseur. She enjoys Jesus and fulfilling His purposes for her life on Earth.
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