Hi friends! I have seen in so many different ways lately how the church has acted like a body and really strived to encourage each other. I love how God uses us to edify each other. LOVE IT! With that being said, I’d like to share what God has been teaching me. In the last two weeks, I have been learning so much about thankfulness and gratitude. With the social, economical, and health climate of our current world, anxiety has been such a temptation for me. What about my job? What about this gathering? What about my daily schedule? Will this have financial implications on mine and Tim’s life? Everything feels off. So often I have given fear and doubt the final word. BUT, then I read Colossians chapter 3:15-17 (ESV) and it says this:
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Wow! That whole “BE THANKFUL” stuck with me. God in his favor and mercy has given me SO much. He has saved my soul from an eternity separated from him. He has shown compassion on me. I woke up in a warm bed, in a home I own, drinking amazing coffee, with good health, I love my church, I have a wonderful husband, and my job/life is still in motion with everything going on. The list goes on. When I humbly dwell on what God has given me, and in turn show gratitude and thankfulness to Him, my anxieties seemingly go away. I heard this quote that resonated with me:
“Anxiety is a kind of grasping for control of what we do not have in the future, and THANKFULNESS is giving thanks for what we do have in our present reality” (John Mark Comer).
I love that. I want to daily ask God, “God what is there to be thankful for today”? The list will NEVER end.
So church family, I’d like to know, what are YOU thankful for? How has God blessed you? I know there are seasons when we have to dig a little deeper, but His blessings are there. I promise. Comment below three things you are thankful for! Once you comment, I’m going to spend some time thanking God WITH you. Thank you so much for taking the time to read what has been on heart. My prayer for you today: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” (Col 3:1).
Blessings,
-Rachel Sorenson