Text: I Thess. 5:18 – "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Hebrews 13:5: "...be content with such things as ye have..."
Be thankful for the good things (possessions), people, friends and family that you do have. DON’T dwell on what you don’t have. No one has it all on this earth. Even if it looks like they do, they really don’t. You are only seeing the surface. God sees everything. God sees it all, the lack and the abundance. People don’t have everything perfect in their lives like they depict. We live in an imperfect world. Breakthroughs take time.
So many people are desperately trying to find the will of God for their lives. Somehow, that answer seems clouded by distractions, depression and defeat. How can one know, for sure, what the will of God is? It begins by being thankful.
When we have a mindset to be thankful and not complain (Phil. 2:14), God will honor and bless our lives even more.
Think about the children of Israel. (Ex. 17:3 / Num. 11:1 / Num. 14:1 & 2)
In Numbers 14:28-39, these key verses explain why the original Israelites, who left Egypt, were not going to enter the promise land. It was because of their murmuring, complaining and unbelief.
When we stop to think about it, murmuring and complaining always has its roots in unbelief. Murmuring and complaining also keeps our prayers unanswered.
Hebrews 3:12 & 19: "...and evil heart of unbelief."
Psalms 97:10: "...Love the Lord, hate evil..."
Evil IS unbelief, according to the scriptures.
When our faith is unwavering (no matter what negative situation happens), we will not waver, doubt, or complain, because our faith is rooted in the Word of God. The Word speaks louder than the outward circumstances that try to defeat and discourage us into complaining.
II Cor. 5:17: "...we walk by faith and not by sight."
Scripture on Standing Firm
II Cor. 7:4(b): "...I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation."
II Cor. 1:24(b): "...for by faith ye stand."
Eph. 6:13(b): "...having done all, stand..."
II Cor. 4:13: "...I believed and therefore have I spoken."
If you're believing the negative circumstances will defeat you, and your dream will die, then it will. On the other hand, if you confess and believe "what things ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24), then you will receive!
II Cor. 2:14: "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place."
When we get the knowledge of how to react to the negative situations that try to steal our joy, we will begin to walk in constant victory over every fiery dart that comes to attack us.
The bottom line is, our faith (Romans 10:17), will keep us strong. Our praise, worship, and thankfulness to God, will encourage us to be overcomers.
In II Chronicles 20:17-27, Jehoshaphat led the singers and praisers ahead of the warriors.
As we guard our attitude with prayer, praise, the Word and thanksgiving, we too can see the devil’s plans against us crumble. What God did for Jehoshaphat and his army, God will do the same for you. That is, give us the victory because of our praise!
No One Can Steal Your Joy
No one can steal your joy and thankful heart. No one. Unless you allow someone to let it happen.
Proverbs 5:23: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
- A thankful person sees the best in people.
- A thankful person is unselfish.
- A thankful person finds something to thank God for.
- A thankful person is content.
- A thankful person is giving.
- A thankful person is appreciative of what other people do for him, and tells them.
- A thankful person doesn’t worry!
- A thankful person compliments others, often.
- A thankful person makes the most of each day.
Make a List of What You’re Thankful For:
- _______________________
- _______________________
- _______________________
- _______________________
- _______________________
Make a List of Your Prayer Concerns:
- _______________________
- _______________________
- _______________________
- _______________________
- _______________________
Closing Thoughts
Always lean more heavily on being thankful than giving God your concerns. Praise, worship and thanksgiving always brings the presence of the Holy Spirit. It also brings more breakthroughs into your life.
It takes faith to be joyful and thankful in every situation.
It’s not because of our trials, but it’s through our trials, we can say, "I am more than a conqueror..." (Romans 8:37–39)
Phil 4:4: "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice." 😊
Psalms 34:1: "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Psalms 69:30: "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs."
In other words, being thankful and praising God pleases Him more than your sacrifices of other things.
He sees your thankful or complaining heart. God is moved by our faith (right attitude), not by our stinking - thinking or murmuring - mouth.
:) SMILE !!! Thank God in every situation. You will see the victory and salvation of the Lord!