The Power Of Gratitude

Floyd’s condition remains the same.  He is breathing easily and resting comfortably and peacefully.  We continue to pray for his well-being and protection and for the hospital workers to remain virus free.

My health has definitely been impacted the last few weeks.  I have good days - and not-so-good days.  It's all related to my cancer battle and treatment.  I'm so grateful that God is here with me in the isolation.  I couldn't make it on my own.

In recent days the Lord has been reminding me of how important and how powerful gratitude is for us.  I know I've shared about this a number of times, but it bears looking at afresh in our current situation.  With all we are facing, it's so easy to focus on the problems, the things we're being confronted with as we make our way through this unprecedented situation.  For me, it seems like I am daily facing challenges that leave me feeling overwhelmed.

I know I need to continually choose trust in the Lord.  I speak that out - I proclaim it over what I'm facing.  But the Lord is also showing me that if I'll continually express gratitude it actually helps lift the weight of what I'm being burdened with.  There are two aspects to this that God has been speaking to me about.  The first is to recognize that in the midst of things I don't have, I need to thank Him for all I do have.  There is so very much to be grateful for.  It's easy to overlook this when we're focused on the challenges we're facing, but choosing to be grateful has an amazing outcome of making our burdens lighter!!

The second thing that has been on my heart is a little different.  I was reminded this week of 2 Chronicles 20.  The people of Israel were facing three enemy armies.  King Jehoshaphat was seeking the Lord for what to do.  The Lord gave him a most unusual strategy.  He sent the people towards the enemy with a band of men singing and praising the Lord for His deliverance.  They were thanking the Lord for the victory ahead of time!  They led the way towards the enemy army with praise and gratitude.  They entered into battle with worship.  That is definitely a unique strategy! 

I think when we have hearts of gratitude before we see the answers to prayer - that has to do with trust and faith.  It's declaring who God is in our midst.  In the passage in 2 Chronicles, the enemy armies fought among themselves and destroyed each other.  By the time the armies of Israel got there, there was no one to fight.  

As I thank the Lord for what I have (instead of focusing on what is missing) - and as I thank Him ahead of time for victory in the things I'm lifting up to Him......it helps lift the weights and burdens off my shoulders.  The Lord "inhabits the praise of His people."  He loves it when we trust Him, and when we worship and praise Him.

"But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Corinthians 15:57

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"For what you have done I will always praise you.....and I will hope in your name, for your name is good."  Psalm 52:9

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:6

We are in the midst of a war fighting an unseen opponent - both the enemy and a horrible virus.  God has placed mighty weapons in our hands - trust in Him and gratitude.  As we "battle" with these weapons, God will work on our behalf.  He is faithful!

So much has changed in our world!  We communicate differently.  We shop differently.  Many work differently.  Our daily routines are different.  There is very little in our lives that hasn't been impacted in some way by the worldwide pandemic.  Change is certainly the key word for this time.  Everything has changed dramatically!

And yet - nothing has changed in relation to who God is in the midst of all this!  He is the same throughout time.  He is still with us.  He is still faithful.  He still gives sufficient grace for each day.  He still meets our every need.  He still walks right beside us - holding our hand in the spirit - calming our fears - carrying our burdens - meeting us when we call upon Him.  He is still only a whisper away.  We may be facing something that is unprecedented, but His precedent of being with us is solid and secure.  He is still our Rock and Refuge.  

My sister loves the verse from Acts 17:28 - "In Him we live and move and have our being."  She quoted it often to our family through the years.  I think it's more true than ever.  Everything that we are and have is rooted in Him.  Without Him, we would be in big trouble.

The phrase from a song has been echoing in my mind -  "I'm sheltered in the arms of God.  Let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise, they don't worry me.  For I'm sheltered, safe, within the arms of God."  I woke up with it in my mind this morning.  I am held, protected, loved, cared for, strengthened, and helped.  In His arms I find peace, rest, and refuge - regardless of what storm is raging around me. 

More than ever I'm aware that I can't make it in my own strength and ability.  But I'm carried by His grace, in His arms - and that enables me to face anything.  I'm so grateful to Him.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10 

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."  Proverbs 18:10

"My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:2

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

"Behold God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul."  Psalm 54:4

As I was writing this update, I had been humming another song "because He lives I can face tomorrow."  I looked up, and a little bird came and perched on the chair just outside my window.  It was a sweet visual reminder that just as the Lord cares for the sparrows, He cares for me, for you.  He is faithful!

Everything has changed because of what we're facing, but nothing has changed in terms of who He is in our midst.  "He is the same yesterday, today, and forever."