Dear friends
I thank the Lord for you all, for without you, there would be no reason for sending forth the Nougats daily. The have been moments when I considered quitting, but your encouragement keeps me going in God’s grace.
Here’s today’s Holy Nougat™
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT
I remenber a season when a young lady tried valiantly to be thankful in ALL circumstances. Not so easy. She began compromising “the bright side” for thankfulness, seeking to genuinely miss the difference. Was she annoying! Oh yes. Her chirpy, “Well, look at the bright side” send to deny folks the right to grieve. Was that what Jesus really intended?
I’m not so certain. Though Job is recorded as having glorified God upon hearing continued news of devastation, even he had his moment. Jesus was also credited with asking that the cup of suffering pass Him by. If Jesus prayed that prayer, then what?
Jesus’ prayer continued ‘Not my will but Yours’. And in the longer pastoral prayer, he thanks God for those placed in his care. I believe the clue to continued thankfulness (without hypocrisy) is in Jesus’ addendum … Not my will, but as you have purposed for me Lord (God Almighty). Or, as Mary said, it is the Lord’s will.
Yielding to God’s will recognises that
We are God’s Creation, made for Good Works in Christ Jesus
What God purposes usually reveals God’s glory, and definitely works for our (eventual) good
This if we can’t find joy in the circumstance, we look beyond to the outcome (perhaps in the long term), just like some licks we received as children. Had no impact then …
So how then, do we cultivate God’s Spirit of Thanksgiving?
– By asking for it.
– By registering the pain, joy, excitement, disappointment, love, or even passion in a moment; then moving to prayerfulness about God’s purpose being fulfilled.
– By purposing in our hearts to yield to God (yes, I’m aware that’s NOT easy) especially in the good times
– By seeking someone who might help to put things in perspective, primarily in the stressful moments
– By admitting the challenge in doing so and once again yielding to God when we fail to be thankful all the time
– By becoming intentionally thankful to OTHERS in the little things, let we take them for granted. (Sometimes it even disarms them)
– By counting our blessings daily, weekly, moment by moment … as often as needed to remind us how blessed we are, despite
God bless you all.
Thank you for joining us in the delectably Divine feast!
In Christ
