Open the Windows of Heaven

I have lots of people coming and going from my home.  Sometimes it feels like grand central station!  But, in spite of the busyness, I find myself carrying on a running conversation with the Lord all day long.  Every once in a while, my son asks who I'm talking to. :)

One of the things I find myself doing is thanking the Lord for things throughout the day.....all kinds of things.  I read recently that thankfulness "opens the windows of heaven through which spiritual blessings fall freely."  I love that.  It's a wonderful visual - I wish I could paint it.  Some years ago I took some art classes, but I wasn't very good.  I'm hoping to do some painting in heaven!  In the meantime, I'm grateful for those spiritual blessings that fall into my daily life.  I'd be lost without them!

The Bible talks a lot about thankfulness and gratitude.  I think it's a spiritual weapon that God has given us.  It protects us - and it keeps the enemy at bay.  The enemy can't break through the wall of thankfulness around us.  When I'm having a hard day - when I'm feeling discouraged - when I'm in pain or discomfort - when things seem overwhelming.....I've learned that the most important thing I can do is to lift up praises to the Lord.  The worship and praise is more powerful than anything happening in my day!  In fact, I think the Lord loves our praise during difficult things even more.  It's a "sacrifice of praise" that we offer to Him.

If I'm struggling in my thoughts because of difficulties I'm facing, I've found it's even more important to talk to the Lord and worship Him.  He can help me glean perspective and sort out my thoughts.  I've tried to thank the Lord for suffering - sometimes I manage, and sometimes I have to call upon His help.  I think I find it hardest when I don't understand.  That's when I have to trust His goodness and faithfulness, and ask His help to praise Him in the midst of the difficulty.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."  Ephesians 1:3

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  James 1:17

"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."  Psalm 40:3

"Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."  2 Corinthians 10:3,4

Gratefulness, thankfulness, is a muscle that needs to be exercised.  It might help to make daily lists of things to be thankful for.  It also might help to share some of those with others.  Let's work to strengthen that muscle!