Dear friends, have you ever wondered what the will of God is for your life?
I'm pretty sure you would have done at some stage, for it is a question that comes to most of us sooner or later.
Maybe you have thought long and hard about it but haven't yet found a concrete answer .. perhaps you are still struggling to know what the Lord expects from you.
Then let me assure you - I understand where you're coming from!
It's so easy to fall into the trap of depression, and even dispair, when we can't seem to find the solution to the puzzle of our daily existence.
Sad to say, the search for a 'meaningful life' has led many people to walk in the sinful ways of the world- only to end up more disillusioned and hardened in their hearts because it didn't bring the happiness it seemed to promise them!Everyone wants to be happy and have joy in their lives.
But not everyone knows how to find it or even where to start looking!
We who love the Lord are blessed beyond all measure because He has told us the secret to finding joy and happiness, no matter what our lot in life may be.
Perhaps it's not the answer we were expecting or even want to hear, but nevertheless here it is - REJOICE!
Sounds easy enough.. or does it?!
When life throws us too many curved worry-balls, or when we can't see our way out of a distressing situation, rejoicing is not exactly our 'natural' response, is it?!
So then, how do we get to the place of rejoicing when our instincts tell us to do the opposite?
By giving thanks!
When all looks dark and gloomy- give thanks to the One Who is our Light.
When we feel lonely or adandoned- give thanks to the One Who is our Comforter.
When jobs are lost and money scarce- give thanks to the One Who is our Provider.
When sickness lays us low- give thanks to the One Who is our Healer.
When we feel trapped by circumstances out of our control- give thanks to the One Who is our Deliverer.
Giving thanks to God in everything is a discipline not easily learned in the beginning.
It can grate against our nerves when they just want to scream "unfair!" at all the hurts and disappointments that come our way.
We have to train our minds and emotions to turn on the thanksgiving switch when things are looking bad.
Oh, it's not so hard to be grateful when things are going pretty smoothly for us - much easier to give thanks in the calmer waters of life.
It's when the storms come that we lose our way and let fear, worry, anger, resentment and depression steer us off-course!
We must turn the boat around - by giving thanks.
In ALL things - good or bad, hard or easy, wanted or not!
This is the will of God for us!
Why? Because when we give thanks we are saying we trust Him.
And if we trust Him we know that He will cause all things to be used for our good!
Therefore we have nothing to be downhearted about - we can truly rejoice because He is in control of all our circumstances.
Whether we understand what He is doing or not - we can rest in the knowledge that He loves us and only wills good for our lives!
Giving thanks while enduring difficulties and troubles is a very real sacrifice, but it is also the path to knowing the joy that comes from a heart surrendered to God.
When we offer up our "hard hallelujahs" we place ourselves in His holy will, where His abundant grace will sustain us through all manner of things and where we will find our JOY!
I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. Psalm 27:6
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare His works with rejoicing.
Psalm 107:22
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15
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May we each find the grace we need in all our circumstances this week,
to offer up our shouts of joy to the Lord with thankful hearts!
blessings..Trish
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Hello friends, welcome to LACE!
This meme is for encouraging one another and is based on Philippians 4:8
Whatever is..Lovely. Admirable. Cheerful. Encouraging. ~ LACE
To join in and share your lovely and encouraging post please..
link up only to your LACE post
link it back to here
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- don't link and run!
Please try to visit each other with a friendly word and leave a blessing :-)
Thank you and God bless you all..Trish
Thank you! This was just for me today! It is funny how you know things, yet can get pulled under and forget. I love the way you covered ever aspect with thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. I've been thinking a lot about finding joy in the Lord rather than in my circumstances lately.
ReplyDeleteStefanie
Hi Trish! What a good post! Everyday should be Thanksgiving. Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Trish,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully encouraging post you have shared today. It takes FAITH to give thanks when things are going badly but I have found that when we do give thanks, He will turn things around or at least give us the GRACE to look up and keep going. In the end it always works out for the better when we TRUST Him.
I am rather hestitant to share my tea post because it seems somewhat ordinary and lacks any real spirituality. I completely understand should you wish to delete my link. Thank you for sharing and hosting. Wishing you a delightful day.
Blessings,
Sandi
Dear Trish,
ReplyDeleteI am finding the more time I spend in prayer, the more I am thankful (even when I'm at my wits end) the easier my burdens. I know if I trust in God things will work out. A year ago I never would have believed I would find such peace.
Hugs))
Your blog looks lovely!
What a well-written post and I love the term "curved worry balls". That's a great description as worry does throw us some curve balls, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting LACE and I'm so happy to be able to join in again.
Trish: This is my first visit with you. I found you at Sandi's yellow door and I loved what you said. 'Give Thanks for that is the will of God for you' How reassuring. Thank you for reminding us to Rejoice always and in all things give thanks. I'm thankful for your lovely post...
ReplyDeletePhyllis
These were beautiful words that I needed to hear today. It's something that I am slowly learning to do - giving thanks to the Lord in ALL circumstances of life.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and your new blog background is very lovely and feminine.
A timely reminder when our days are weary with the world. Thanks for such uplifting Words! He is greater - I am at peace.
ReplyDeleteJoy!
Kathy
Thank you for these encouraging words, just at the right time.:-)
ReplyDeleteGod bless,