The Power of Being Thankful: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude (52 page)

We all have some strengths and some weaknesses. This is true even of the people we read about in the Bible. Paul wrestled with his weaknesses (see 2 Corinthians 12:9), but he learned to be grateful for them because through them, he discovered Christ’s strength and grace would be sufficient.

If we want to fully enjoy the life God has given us, we must realize Christ’s grace is sufficient for our weaknesses too—and be grateful that it is! With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can know who we are in Christ and not be condemned because of our weaknesses. Lean on the Lord, and trust that His grace and strength are far greater than our weakness.

Father, I am so thankful that in my weaknesses You show yourself strong. Your strength and Your grace are sufficient for me just as they were for Paul. Thank You for Your daily strength in my life.

Many times God tells us to do something or gives us an assignment and we begin doing it. But then the enemy comes against us, and when we turn to fight him, we turn away from God. Suddenly, the enemy has all our attention. We spend our time fighting him instead of praying and asking God to intervene.

I want you to know this: The enemy is really not your problem; he is God’s problem. You will waste your time if you turn your attention away from your God-given assignments and opportunities and begin to focus on the enemy.

Satan knows that if he can distract you, he can ultimately defeat you. God is your defender; He promises to fight your battles for you. So when the enemy begins to stir up a storm in your life, be thankful God has the victory and do these simple things: pray and trust God.

Father, thank You for the power of prayer. Instead of trying to fight my own battles, I turn them over to You today. I am so grateful that, when the enemy comes in like a flood, I am more than a conqueror through You (see Romans 8:37).

We can learn to live on the resurrection side of the cross. Jesus wasn’t just crucified; thankfully, He was raised from the dead so that we might no longer be stuck in sin, living lowly, wretched, miserable lives.

Often we see a crucifix in a church with Jesus hanging on it. I know it is done to remember and honor Him, and I am not against it, but the truth is that He is not on the cross any longer. He is seated in heavenly places with His Father, and He is enjoying resurrection living.

We can thankfully celebrate that Jesus came to lift us out of the ordinary, out of negative thinking, guilt, shame, and condemnation. He came to take our sin to the cross and defeat it. It has no power over us any longer because we are forgiven—the penalty has been paid. We can live on the resurrection side of the cross and be seated in heavenly places with Him through faith.

Father, help me to experience the resurrection power of Jesus in my life. Thank You that Jesus conquered sin and death, and because Your Spirit lives in me, I can live an overcoming, victorious life too.

A study on the principle of the Golden Rule was conducted by Bernard Rimland, director of the Institute for Child Behavior Research. Each person involved in the study was asked to list 10 people he knew best and to label them as happy or not happy. Then they were to go through the list again and label each one as selfish or unselfish. Rimland found that all the people labeled happy were also labeled unselfish. “The happiest people are those who help others,” he concluded.

God gives us the ability and opportunities to help others all throughout the day. When we take the time to be a blessing, it causes us to focus less on what we don’t have, feel grateful for what we do have, and experience a new level of joy in the process. Don’t let a day go by without helping someone.

Father, I am thankful that You give me opportunities every day to be a blessing to others. You’ve blessed me with so much. I want to use what You have given me to bless someone else today.

The Bible is a record of God’s amazing grace and love. The heroes we admire were people just like us. They failed miserably at times, and yet they found love, acceptance, forgiveness, and mercy as free gifts from God. His love drew them into intimate relationships with Him, empowered them to do great things, and taught them to enjoy their lives.

We can be grateful that just as they experienced that acceptance, we can experience it too. God doesn’t approve of sin, but He does love sinners and will continue to work with us toward positive change.

Don’t waste years living with a fear that God is angry with you. Thankfully, you can receive the amazing, passionate love of God and know that He is not disappointed with you as long as you continue to believe in Him. Your faith pleases Him, and it is what He requires (see John 6:28–29). God loves us because He chooses to and not because we deserve it. Be thankful today that you are loved unconditionally!

I thank You, Father, that You love and accept me. I can look into Your Word and see that You used men and women who were flawed and imperfect. If You could use them, I know that You can use me too.