Every gift our 6 year old granddaughter received was her favorite! As each package was opened she remarked that she adored it, it was wonderful, it was something she always wanted. Once she opened it and said “I love it!” And then she said “What is it?” We all laughed. She lit up the room with her praise and thankfulness. She did receive things she had asked for, but other gifts were things she hadn’t thought about. Nevertheless she loved them all. Everything that came to her was unwrapped and enjoyed. Her joyfulness was contagious and sincere.
Let’s face it. Not everything life unwraps is what we wanted. Harsh things happen. Sometimes we can say I deserved that. Other times those things just appear out of nowhere and we don’t want them.
Oh beloved, God wants you to know this day that although He may not send you everything that comes your way, He is able. He is able to give you joy in the midst of the suffering. Peace in the midst of the storm. Rest in the midst of the conflict. Love in the midst of rejection. Forgiveness in the midst of the trespass against you. You may not want to give thanks FOR it, but you can give thanks to the Lord in the midst of it all. What now looks like a sure death will be revived. What looks like a blunder of worst proportions can be redeemed. Your destiny is not to live from one sorrow to another. Your destiny is to let your praise ever be on your lips and your trust ever be in your heart – for the Lord is with you wherever you go and whatever you encounter. Don’t waste another moment regretting what you cannot change, but pour out your heart in thankfulness right where you are and your atmosphere will change and your joy will be full.
God loves you and He is for you. This power for living grows stronger as you rely on God’s precepts. And the Lord Himself gives good gifts to His children. Yours by birthright –love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Eternal life, heavenly perspective and Holy Spirit empowerment, scandalous love, radical forgiveness and holy calling. Regardless of your present situation or what life has unwrapped you are stronger than that and you are walking free of the baggage as you live in the Light of His unmerited Mercy and Grace!
James 1: 17 “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
I Thessalonians 5: 18 “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 34: 1 “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Ephesians 1: 3 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”