We Give Hearts of Thanksgiving

Being thankful is an intentional choice. It's not just words from our lips, but the condition of our hearts to embrace the good in life.

Each of us could easily find something to focus on that's negative. If it's not something about yourself or your own life, then we can look at others and choose to find something negative. Focusing on the negative is a choice just as much as focusing on the positive is a choice. Some people get so annoyed by positive people! Someone who chooses to cast their care and embrace what's good can be annoying to those who choose to embrace what's not going so good in their lives. But it all comes down to one word. Choice.

Choosing to be thankful in spite of uncomfortable circumstances in life is not a denial of the bad circumstances. What it is, however, is a decision to not allow the bad circumstances to have you. It's a determination not to allow the negative situation to be reflected negatively in your attitude and your behavior towards others and yourself. Yes, I said yourself because the self talk you give to yourself makes a difference in how you feel and in how you see you.

There's a reason that the Lord tells us in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." Look closely at those words. They are all positive, high thinking meditations. Negative thoughts are low thinking meditations that make us feel low. But God wants us to think on high meditations and cast our care on Him so that He can keep us in His peace. He tells us that we're seated in Heavenly places with Him (Ephesians 2:6). That's our spiritual positioning, but sometimes we need help with having the mindset that comes with our positioning. God is always here to help us move our thinking forward and higher for our good. Let's pray.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, help us to think according to Philippians 4:8. Help us to always find the good and be thankful even in the midst of persecution, hardship, trials that we may face in life. We always have something to be thankful to you for. Help us to allow thankfulness and positive, high thinking meditations to be a part of our daily routine. We want your Word to be reflected through our hearts every day. We love you and we thank you. Amen.