Gratitude

BEING GRATEFUL

"Live a life worth living for" and do so by being grateful for every "Hilltop" and every "Valley". 

1 Timothy 4:4-5 [AMP]

"For everything God has created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified [set apart, dedicated to God] by means of the word of God and prayer."

Our lives are filled with many experiences and circumstances and the way we see these are so important, life changing I could argue. Moving from Western Australia to New South Wales (East Coast of Australia) someone asked me how I found the place, work etc. and my response was one of God-inspired wisdom. I said: "What I have learned by moving here, is that the grass is not greener on the other side, but where you water it." I'm sure it's a quote used from somewhere...but yet so very true. Looking back to our time in WA, it was such a blessing to live and work there, but did not seem so wonderful at the time.

In every circumstance, there will be something to be grateful for, even if it's just the fact that the circumstance is exposing a weakness, or strength in your character. 

I can tell you this out of my own experience and hardheadedness: God will continue to allow certain trials in your life, until you learn the lesson and complete the change required in your character! There is no circumstance or experience that does not have these two "attributes" available. So the key in gratitude is understanding this and the moment you get "it", the door to contentment opens. Contentment here should not be confused for lack of vision or desire to improve your circumstance/s, but to be comfortable, to experience inner peace and joy no matter the circumstance you find yourself in.

James 1: 2-4 [AMP]

"2.Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3.Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4.And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing."

"GREEN GRASS"

There has been a lot of ups and downs since I confessed to my wife about my unfaithfulness, yet I have so much to be grateful for and have changed in character:

• I am learning to trust God fully,
• I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit more frequently,
• I feel gratitude towards God when faced with trials and challenges,
• I am grateful for the, nearly 3 hour commute, to and from work (this is time I spent in the presence of God, praising, worshiping and reflecting) 
• I am grateful for time with my wife and our children,
• I am grateful to be a steward of God's resources,
• I am grateful for friends and the "Body of Christ",
• I am grateful for this platform to share, albeit a fraction, of the goodness and glory of God through Jesus Christ and my own experiences (and my many flaws),
• I am grateful for the man I am becoming,
• I am grateful that I was a "Prodigal son" and that God welcomed me back with open arms!

CHANGE YOUR VIEW, CHANGE YOUR FUTURE

Romans 12:2 [AMP]

"And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

When you change the way you see your circumstances by "renewing your mind" you will learn to know what the will of God is for your life and when you do this, you will prosper as said in:

Jeremiah 29:11 [AMP]

"For I know the plans and thoughts I have for you; says the Lord, 'plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Marius Döhne has given me this advice: 

"Write down all the deepest expectations of your heart, because it's very clear that God want to prosper you and give you all the things you hope for (and need), now and in the future. For you to receive all those things, you need to guard your heart, control your emotions and avoid any negative feelings and thoughts. You need to be JOYFUL all day, PRAY as much as you remember and GIVE THANKS to the Lord (all day long!) for everything He has done and more so for the things He is going to do for you.

You are purposefully made to worship God, spread the Gospel, give your Testimony, to prosper here on earth (will look different to everyone else), to love/bless/help your neighbor and to, more than just overcome struggles, but to exceedingly prosper even more so after."

To be grateful for every circumstance and to give thanks to God is how you "renew your mind" and ultimately change your future.

1 Corinthians 8:3 [AMP]

But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and greatly loved].

PRAYER

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Let Your Kingdom come. Let Your perfect will for us be done, on earth, as it has been predestined in heaven. We are not a mistake, we are wonderfully and fearfully made in Your image and likeness. You have given us all authority to rule over the earth. We thank You for every experience and circumstance that You've allowed and we're sorry for the ones that we brought on ourselves by not being in the very center of Your will for our lives. Forgive us our sins, transgressions and iniquities, as we forgive those who sin against us. Please Lord, give us the things we need and the desires of our heart, where it will be for Your glory. We submit to You o Lord, we ask for strength to resist the devil so that he will flee from us. Let us not face any temptation of the world without The Holy Spirit guiding us, deliver us from evil. For Yours is the Kingdom, the Glory and the Power. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen