Thankful Heart

Thanking God during a stormy season of life is not the first thing that comes to our minds.
Most of the time, when things go wrong, we run from God
Or blame Him for the troubles in our lives

It's not easy to be thankful
When you lost a loved one
When there is a new diagnosis of cancer in your family
When your heart is broken into pieces
When your dream job doesn't work out

I am not the best at being thankful during hard times
Actually its probably one of the last things I have done, if I did it at all.

Something really spoke to my heart in the book I have been reading lately, Classic Christianity.
So I wanted to share it with you or anyone who is struggling with faith, life, God's will for them...

"The essence of a life of faith is a thankful heart... 1 Thessalonians 5:18 'Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.' Why would God tell us to give thanks in all circumstances, even in bad ones? because giving thanks is a concrete expression of our faith in God- that our lives are in His hands, and that we are trusting Him to fulfill His promise in Romans 8:28 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.' The result of trusting God with our lives and expressing that faith through giving thanks is a freedom and peace that is supernatural:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7."  - Classic Christianity, p 164 

It doesn't always make sense
Why God's plans for us
hurt our hearts 
cause fear in us
make us turn our backs
but maybe if we truly try to be thankful for all circumstances
we will feel the comfort of the Lord around us.

This part of the book revealed to me,
even though I am hurting, struggling, disappointed or happy, grateful, content
I need to be thankful because God is protecting my heart
He is working all circumstances to the best plan for me.

Good and Bad.

Book Report

I am trying to read more books, specifically spiritual books but fictional, leisurely reads will sneak in there every once in a while.

You know how a smell, song, outfit (yes, outfit) can strike a memory that takes you right back to a time in your life
Good or bad, we all have triggers like this...
Almost like you get carried back in time for just the first few seconds as the current surroundings morphe your senses to the past.
You feel like you are right there, it looks just how it had when you were actually living the memory
As the memory consumes your thoughts, the emotions surge, you take yourself right back to where you were...
Then as soon as the smell has passed, the song is over, you change your mind on what to wear
its all gone. every ounce of emotion. the vivid colors. the nostalgia. all. gone.

I have been blessed with a life full of happiness and abundance
but like most people, I have been through trials
I have felt like asking, "God, what the hell are you doing?"
Why me?
Why my momma?
Why a best friends dad?
Why?

The book, Second Guessing God, was that kind of trigger for me
I welcomed it, I am not going through a devastating trial, right now
But I could relate, I could take myself back to a time when I was desparate to hear God's voice

Three things I took away from this book were:

1. God is working upstream in our lives. We can't see what is happening, but God has a reason, he has a purpose and thought we can't see it, he is working upstream in our lives for what is best for us. He wants only good things for us. We just have to trust that God's purpose will become apparent to us when we can't see the out of our storm.

2. Don't waste your pain. This one really struck me, because I have felt a desire to volunteer with cancer patients or families because of the experience I had. My family and I went through that experience, not to put it away in the "do not think about" category. We went through it so we could help others who are going through it. So we could tell people, "I understand, I was scared too". If you have learned from one of your trials, don't waste your pain. Do something with it to bless someone else.

3. God is in control. And contrary to what we feel at times of sorrow, and pain, He really does know what He is doing. Its ok to be honest with him when we think his way or his plan is stupid, painful, wrong. (I mean he knows what we are thinking anyways, so why sugar coat it!) We can turn our backs on him and run the other way. But ultimately, God loves us. He wants only good things for us. Sometimes, we just have to go through some shit to understand.



Whether you are in the thick of a life storm, watching it rolling in, or seeing the rainbow
 This book gives you hope in God's plan, answers to prayers you thought were never heard, and comfort that you truly are not alone.

John 13:7- Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but soon you will understand."