I want to post the devotional for today from the book Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.
March 25, 2011 ~ "Let thankfulness temper all your thoughts. A thankful mind-set keeps you in touch with Me. I hate it when My children grumble, casually despising My sovereignty. Thankfulness is a safeguard against this deadly sin. Furthermore, a grateful attitude becomes a grid through which you perceive life. Gratitude enables you to see the Light of My Presence shining on all your circumstances. Cultivate a thankful heart, for this glorifies Me and fills you with Joy." (1 Cor. 10:10 and Heb. 12:28-29)
I woke up really early this morning, but stayed in the bed & had a morning conversation with the Lord. The scripture that He reminded me of was the one that a lot of people know well, Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know that plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
So often, I think we almost gloss over some of the scriptures that have been a part of us for a long time. But this morning, He kept saying to me over & over, "I know, I know, I know," & then reminding me that it's "the plans I have for you." It was very powerful & encouraging to me, & hopefully it will be to you, also.
In my little life, this is a day with a lot going on in the lives of us & some family members. So, hearing Him say to me that He knows, & that the plans for me (& mine) are His, brought such a level of peace to my petitions. Then I read Jesus Calling and was so grateful of the reminder to be thankful in everything.
Just yesterday, my daughter was crying & crying (for the second evening in a row) because her eyes were red, itchy, & swollen from the pollen outside. We had to run an errand in the car, & she literally sobbed the whole way, occasionally throwing out a "Jesus please heal me, RIGHT NOW!"
Memories of my mother flooded my heart & I asked Kathryn if she had thanked God for the pollen. "Nooooo, why would I do that?!!" came her passionate reply. I proceeded to tell her (in true Anne Cox aka Mom fashion) that God created the pollen, & without it, we wouldn't have all of the lovely blooms in spring. And, she could be thankful for the pollen, yet also ask God to take away her allergies to it.
So, she gave it a go, and in between sniffles, indeed thanked Him for the pollen that makes the pretty flowers. She then asked (rather than demand) that He heal her itchy eyes. Not long after we were home, the itching stopped, the redness went away, & we thanked Him for His healing touch. Thank you, Lord, for making Yourself & Your hand known to the heart of my daughter.
Back to the plans...having a thankful heart totally changes our heart & gives us a paradigm shift. As Sarah said, "a thankful heart glorifies Me & fills you with Joy." Next time you feel anxious or upset about something, or even find yourself carrying a load that is a bit heavy, look for even an eentsy weentsy part of it about which to be thankful. You'll be amazed at how your heart will be lifted & filled with true Joy. Even if your circumstances don't change, the manner in which you walk through them will change. How do I know? Because it's happened to me, time & time again. But mostly because He has promised, & that makes it a done deal.
I'll leave you with the follow up from Jeremiah, verses 12-14 ~
"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity..."
Amen. Have a blessed day today ~
