"Thank Me for the very things that are troubling you... It is impossible to thank Me and curse Me at the same time... Thankfulness awakens you to My Presence, which overshadows all your problems." (181)
The devo today mentions how we are tempted to indulge in complaining which will set the stage for "torrents of rage and self-pity." This makes much more sense to me after reading research on the way our brains work. Because the atmosphere of the brain is highly sensitive to the neuro-chemical climate of our thought patterns, the overall landscape of our mind will reflect the impact of our most-often-selected attitudes and thoughts. Choosing thankfulness over thanklessness makes a huge difference!
Joe and I were reflecting on Numbers 11-14...how a handful of grumblers, complaining about food, helped set the stage for a toxic mindset of criticism and complaints. Examples: Miriam & Aaron criticized Moses' leadership. Later 10 of the 12 spies returned from Canaan with a negative report. which put such fear and doubt in the peoples' hearts that they ended up stuck in the desert, dying, when they could have enjoyed a bountiful life in the Promised Land.
We must protect the landscape of our minds (and our homes) from deserts of criticism and complaints. Thankfulness leads us into the Promised Land of bountiful living, no matter what our circumstances may be.
Like Caleb and Joshua... Thankful living means we may be in the minority when we're...
Maintaining the Godly Priority...dmc
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I love the "we may be living in the minority when we're maintaining the Godly Priority". It inspires me to do just that, be thankful! It also reminds me of our friend who's marriage is in trouble and everyone is telling him to dump her because of her unfaithfulness, even our Christian friends. But he has accepted the fact that she is lost and needs a friend (which she also lost her job)to love her right now. He knows that the divorce may go through and he has let her go, but he isn't doing what would be a normal human reaction. He is just thankful to have had her in his life and is letting God love her through him.
ReplyDeleteWatching God move in many ways! :)
Your friend is blessed to have your prayerful support. When we're "in the minority" it's such a comfort to have others encouraging us to "maintain the Godly Priority!" May God use you to bless His greater purposes in your friends' lives. Thanks for sharing!
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