Jumbled Words of Thanks

I’m sorry to whoever is about to read this, because it probably will make no sense. This post is

basically one of those that is just a jumbled up mess of what I’m feeling. There really is no structure or one true theme, but it’s one that means something to me. Although the words don’t work together to make a sensible piece of writing, I guess it just felt good to get it off my chest.              

 CAUTION: AGAIN, THIS WON'T MAKE SENSE

Thanksgiving is personally one of my favorite holidays, Christmas being the only exception. The only problem I have with this holiday of thanks is the way we “thank”. “Thankful for these people” and “Blessed for all I have” are common phrases sent out over social media, yet what bugs me is that so many people, and I can’t say everyone, but most people just use that because they need a comment on a post instead of it truly meaning something. For all that we have, we should spend a lot more time thanking God for what He has given us instead of worrying about the likes we got on our Turkey Day post on Instagram. And unfortunately, it’s even something I struggle with.

Yesterday, as I was with family, I guess I was just so consumed with a great attitude and enjoying the time with them (which isn't bad) that I didn't really thank God for all I had. There are so many things I am thankful for (family, friends, a good church, a bed, purified water, food in the fridge, a God who’s grace overwhelms me, an intervening Holy Spirit, parents who love each other and don’t fight, good health, and much more) and none of them crossed my mind yesterday.  This brought a terrible feeling in me today, and it’s one I can’t describe, but I know it’s guilt.

With all that God gives me, I can’t even open my bible every day because I “have better things to do.” The crappy feeling that I felt today was so bad, that I had to write this post. I was planning on writing a cliché thanksgiving one about all I was thankful for, but as I began writing, it didn't feel right. I knew I needed to get all I was feeling off my chest.

                

God has truly blessed me with all I have, and I know I can’t ever pay Him back, but it seems like I’m doing nothing to even show any appreciation. I take so much for granted when kids in our own city would do anything to have their mother back after a long fight of cancer. Why is it so hard for me to show my appreciation for what I've received?

As I’m writing this, there is nothing more I want than to worship God with all I have and show my gratitude. I've been listening to SYC music, and I’m not even singing, but it’s like these prayers are flowing out of me just by listening to the songs. That’s one of the reasons I am so thankful for an intervening Holy Spirit. One minute you can be down in the dumps yet the next can feel like you’re on a mountain. Just within writing this, I have gone from a guilt filled heart to one full of joy and gratitude.

                    There is nothing else I can say but “THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Overwhelmed with Peace

It usually takes a lot to make people feel overwhelmed; the definition literally has the word “drown” in it. So as I think of what goes on in my life, I wonder how “overwhelmed” I really am. On the days where I feel like nothing is going right and I wonder where God is, I can’t help but feel “overwhelmed.” But I believe that no matter how stressed, anxious, or busy I am, it’s nothing compared to the overwhelming feeling we receive from the Holy Spirit. No earthly thing has the ability to overwhelm us the way our Lord can. When I am feeling anxious and stressed, it seems like I have so much to do that I can’t even think correctly. So what would it take to replace that overwhelming feeling of stress and nervousness with that of peace and grace? It seems impossible, which it is without God, but with God and the Holy Spirit in me, I am sure that thosefeelings can be obliterated.

Philippians 4: 6-7 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This verse may seem cliché, but every time I feel like I can’t handle the “crap” of this world, this verse comes to mind. It literally tells me to not be anxious and to pray. Prayer is one of my favorite ways to connect with God. One of my spiritual gifts is intercession, which is the gift to pray for others’ needs, and I have always enjoyed talking with the Lord. So if this verse tells me to pray and not hold in feelings of anxiety, then I know that God has my life in control. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans He has for our lives. What a relief knowing we don’t have to know everything. Philippians goes on to say, in verse seven, that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ. Not only are we given peace, but we are protected from those feelings of stress and anxiety in our lives. But then why do we still feel that way sometimes? To be completely honest, I don’t have an answer to that question, but I do know that grace is offered. Just like God offers forgiveness and eternal life, He offers peace. It comes down to free will.

The difficult thing about free will is that it’s our choice. There is no “maybe” or “I will every other Thursday”,but a box checking "yes" or "no." Sometimes it’s so difficult to check that box “yes” when our lives are so full of worldly things. So as an imperfect human, how can we choose to accept all that our fully righteous God gives us? I’m not saying that every day will be an easy walk and that box checked “yes” won't stay constant. What I’m saying is that we have to put forth our best effort. WE ARE A BROKEN RACE, so then that’s the definition of the human race, isn’t it? The one thing to be cautious about is to not allow this to be our excuse to not try.

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” 

Our reward for putting our best foot forward is eternal life and a sense of peace. Whether that complete peace lasts a day, an hour, or a minute, it gives us a small glimpse of the eternal peace we will have in heaven.

Fresh Start

Sorry for the inconvenience, but I had to make a new blog since my old one wasn't working out, but I should have a new post coming your way in a couple of days.