"It is always possible to be thankful for what is
given rather than resentful over what is withheld -
one attitude or the other becomes a way of life."
Elisabeth Eliot
Two new pillows have been added today that I believe have remarkably similar messages - James 1:17 and 2 Cor. 12:9. I did a blog last May about Isaiah 30:18 on "Recognizing and Sharing Grace", but "grace" happens to be one of my key words...I absolutely love the very idea of God's grace. The point is His sufficiency, not ours.
These passages were written by two different authors: Paul wrote the letters to the Corinthians and James, probably the brother of Jesus, wrote the book of James. Both, however, were written during times of trial for them. Paul was battling the "thorn in the flesh" and James was encouraging those in his midst who were enduring trials. In both cases, they were saying "look around you, God's blessings are real - do not miss them!". My Daily Bread (while my Don was enduring chemo 3 years ago) said "A trial may be God's gift in disguise."
John Lubbock says: "What we see depends mainly on what we look for." What do you see around you today? Do you see hurdles, things that need to be fixed, disappointments and irritating people? Or do you see blessings, encouraging words, beautiful flowers, God's word, help in a crisis, or someone walking alongside you to listen?
Richard Blackaby says: "How tragic to be enslaved to bitterness, unforgiveness or anxiety when God's grace can banish these joy-robbers from your life."
Here's an assignment for you: today,, find three things that you can see as gifts from the Lord and thank Him. Then go out and be a gift to someone else!
Be blessed in your understanding of God's word!
For further study: Proverbs 3:34, Jonah 2:8, Luke 2:40, John 1:16, Romans 5:15-21, 2 Corinthians 4:15, 6:1-2 and 9:8, Galatians 2:21, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 4:8-10, Titus 2:11.
Love,
Holly
No comments:
Post a Comment