Thankful

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (NLT)

Wintry days! Cold days! Sunny days! I love those kinds of days in northern Alberta. When it is really cold here, the sun shines. When it is cloudy, the days aren't as cold, but then, neither are the days so bright with the sun reflecting on the snow.

As I was walking on one of those brisk winter days with the sun shining beautifully from an azure sky, the diamonds I noticed on the snow were amazing. There were thousands of them. No — there were millions of them. They sparkled here and sparkled there — everywhere I looked, diamonds were sparkling.

I praised God for the blue sky, the sunshine, the bright white snow, the diamonds. He made them all.

It reminded me of a few years past, when I was in a very rough spot in my life. I was learning to be thankful and would thank God for the diamonds in the snow, a warm house to live in, the ability to walk and talk and eat, and people who loved me and cared for me. I chose to be thankful, and think about the good things in my life. I chose to change my thought patterns and focus on God and what He had done for me.

So often, I slip back to times before that spot, thinking that life is hard, and I get dragged down by negativism. Again and again, I have to choose to praise God, thanking Him for His salvation, His forgiveness, His goodness, His love, His acceptance of me, His comfort.

May this be our choice in the wintry seasons of life — to choose to be thankful — even in the rough circumstances in our lives — for we can always be thankful for Jesus, who died for us and has given us all things to enjoy.

1 Timothy 6:17 – Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (NLT)

Prayer: Thank You, Lord Jesus. Please forgive us when we fail You. Help us to praise You and thank You for Your unlimited favours to us. Amen.

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