I am thankful for God's command to us (through the Apostle Paul) ... [to] 'be thankful in every circumstance'. I confess that I've often thought of this command as a last resort to gain a right attitude toward my troubles and forget it (this command) when there is a lull in 'noticeable' difficulties {trouble is always at the door waiting to pounce on ignorance).
From one of my devotional readings this morning, I received this---"And you will seek ME and find ME, when you search for ME with your whole heart." I was convicted that my seeking was only half- (at best) hearted. There was no wholeness to me...therefore my attempts to 'be thankful' rose to our all-knowing God as insincere and legalistic! I repented of my selfishly-prompted 'thankfulness' (even our repentance is generated by God into our divided hearts by His grace).
From my other devotional I read: 'Thankfulness opens your heart to MY Presence and your mind to MY thoughts --enabling you to see from MY perspective.' My repentance of un-wholesome motives in approaching our God, opened my heart to His closeness and my mind to think rightly about the 'dilemmas' I was currently fretting over! I actually saw these from a totally new angle. Jesus' control over my circumstance (facing what I call major decisions on my own) reminded me I am NOT Alone and gave me an 'opened heart to His Presence'; and His equal control over my thoughts (which tumbled round and round in my head) brought me to 'see things from His perspective' [--my thoughts are NOT His thoughts] on these troubles..
I praise Him (am thankful) that He will continue to convict, convince and control me.
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