He Has You

Every day I write in my journal and have done so for many years. It is an ever-flowing letter between God and me. I write things in the morning and again something each night. At the end of each day, One thing I write down are three things that I am thankful for.

Being thankful is a choice. “In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMP).

Over the years, I find that each day there is something new and fresh that I can be thankful for. This doesn’t mean my life is not filled with trials and difficulties that I must go through. Yet every day, I turn my eyes to Jesus and tell Him three things I am thankful for.

Be as fervent in your thankfulness to God as you were in your request. “Give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him. Make music to praise him. Meditate on all the miracles he has done” (1 Chronicles 16:8-9 NOG).

There is power in thankfulness because it determines the focus of what is on your mind. When we are thankful, we are content and pleased with all the goodness that is around us. We are all surrounded by the good and the bad, but which is it that we keep our minds focused on?

The more thankful you are, the happier you will be. “I will praise [or give thanks to] you, Lord, with all my heart. I will tell [recount] all the miracles you have done [your wonderful deeds]. I will be happy and rejoice because of you; God Most High, I will sing praises to your name” (Psalm 9:1-2 EXB).

There is power in thankfulness because when we see all the good that God is doing, we are rightfully praising Him for all He has done. When we praise God, we honor God, for He is always praiseworthy in what He does. We must praise Him in the good things and trust Him in the bad.

The reason prayers are more powerful with thankfulness is because our hearts are right with God. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).

There is power in thankfulness, for it sets the trajectory of our attitude. When we are filled with joy, we will be confident in going after all that is possible. When we have the right attitude, we have the right recipe for success and happiness in the life that we live.

Your attitude belongs to you, so don’t let someone else change it. “Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2 AMP).

There is power in thankfulness because you are being a witness of the power of God. It is by our faith we can be thankful even in the bad times, and it will be there that you will be a light in the darkness. Consider that to be a light in the darkness, you must first be in the dark.

Yield your life that it would be a lamp from which God could shine His light onto a darkened world. “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life…” (Philippians 2:14-16 TLB).

There is power in thankfulness because it can bring good health to your body. Having a spirit of gratitude brings healing and comfort in the midst of all you’re going through. When you are feeling down, it will be in your thankfulness that you can be lifted up.

Our biggest joy is found in being thankful for the little things. “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance… A merry heart does good, like medicine…” (Proverbs 15:13, 17:22 NKJV).

There is power in thankfulness because it makes you content and at peace right where you are. When we count our blessings, we find that we can never reach the end. When we look up, we won’t feel down. God’s grace surrounds us if only we would look for it.

If you are not content with what you have, you never will be. “…I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13 NLT).

There is power in thankfulness because it causes even more things to be thankful about. You will see the rainbow while the storm is still raging. You will see the calm sea when the waves are still crashing. You will have the hope of heaven that stands above every circumstance you are going through.

Count your blessings and give your problems to the Lord. “Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 TLB).

Blessings to you,

Paul Balius