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A Cure to Drive Out Worry: Gratitude

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Do you struggle with keeping a positive outlook as you encounter trials and troubles in your life? Do you struggle with discouragement, fears, or worries?

Anxiety and stress tell us that a circumstance is difficult, dangerous, and painful, which may be true. But, anxiety and stress lie to us by telling us that we do not have the resources to cope with the challenges.

Identifying Debilitating Mindsets

Do you find yourself quickly slipping into any of these thinking patterns?

  • all-or-nothing thinking (I have to do it perfectly, otherwise I am a failure),
  • focusing on the negatives (“Nothing ever goes my way, my life is one disappointment after another”),
  • awfulizing (worst-case scenario thinking),
  • dwelling on your past (something from your past keeps you in bondage today),
  • excessive need for approval (“I can only be happy if everyone likes me. If someone is upset, I must have done something wrong”), or
  • pessimism (cannot see any good in life).

These mindsets are all intensely negative, and self-focused and will keep you from closeness with God.

In this devotional, we learn how cultivating gratitude can be a great remedy for dealing with our fears, insecurities, and doubts.

VERSE FOR TODAY:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“

Pondering the Passage

Life can get overwhelming. We are easily discouraged or burned out when things are beyond our control. How do you turn your gaze away from the challenges and turn to God?

One of the best ways is to describe past and current blessings. 

You can offer up thanksgiving to God for all He has given you and all He has done on your behalf. You should not only go to God to ask for things as if He is your personal genie or Santa Claus.

There is so much you can thank Him for — from small, everyday provisions to truly significant ones. 

  • Waking up to a new day
  • A walk in the beauty of God’s creation
  • A kindness or financial provision that was unexpected
  • Beautiful weather
  • Healing from illness
  • Utilities and transportation
  • Time with friends and family
  • An enjoyable meal

The list of things to be thankful for is endless! 

An attitude of thanksgiving has a connection to experiencing inward peace.

Reflecting on God’s goodness reminds you that He is good and that He is in control. It is not you, other people, or your circumstances that determine what is going to happen.

Other people and circumstances may influence you, but they do not determine who you are, what you feel, or how you will act.

When you are feeling anxious or worried, try flipping the script. Why not “go vertical?” Instead of focusing on the negative things in front of you, turn your attention to all the amazing ways that God has blessed you! 

Pull out a journal and start writing them down. With each blessing, pause and thank God for it. Try to make this a daily habit if possible. The more grateful you are, the less anxious you will be. 

Personalizing the Passage

  • Overall, how would you rate yourself when it comes to gratitude and thankfulness?
  • Which of the debilitating mindsets do you most struggle with?
  • What impact do those debilitating mindsets have on your life?
  • What do I need to do as a result?

Praying the Passage

Father, thank you for Your kindness and amazing graces. I do not deserve this yet You shower me every day with these precious gifts. Please forgive me for the many times I focus on myself, and other people’s treatment of me, but I have lacked gratitude for the many blessings that You have poured into my life. If you had given me nothing more than the gift of Your precious Son, that should be enough for me to be grateful every day for all of eternity.

Yet, added to Christ’s work for me, You have granted me promise after promise and poured blessing after blessing into my life. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” Please help me to develop and cultivate a heart of gratitude and thankfulness. Please, Holy Spirit, create in me a thankful heart and a joy-filled life. In Jesus’ matchless name, amen

Practicing the Passage

  • Based on what I learned about myself from the passage and from the devotional, what do I need to change? What is my specific plan? How will I do it?
  • Here are some suggestions
    • Mediate on and commit to memorizing 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
    • Commit to setting aside this next month to concentrate on cultivating an attitude of gratitude and a thankful and grateful heart.
    • Determine to move past “whining” to “worshipping” God.
    • Begin to cultivate a list of things that you are grateful to God and others for and begin to share those things with them
    • Each day make a list of 3 – 5 things you are thankful for that day.
    • Write out prayers of gratitude and thankfulness in your journal.
  • Be sure to record how God works in you and through you over this next month.

______________________________________________________________________________ 

About James and Lessons for Life

Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 25 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you search for freedom, you will love being part of this conversation.

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