Yesterday (May 22) I received a photograph when I was 3 years young, I found it interesting to see the moment captured, for I could look back and glance at what it was like to live during those days, but most of all, it worked as a connection through time to what I have experienced in life and what God has done with it. Just like photographs, many times we capture moments in our memory but perhaps we do not realise that we should have been grateful with those people we spent it with, with those who made us laugh or even those who made us cry, for in one way or another, we were learning and we had something to enjoy. But most of all, because the mercy of our Lord was renewed to grant us a new grace for that day.
The beauty of gratefulness is that we can enjoy simple gestures, like the smiles, the food, the roof over our head, the moments we share with others or even the time we spend by ourselves, because each of these have something we can appreciate. They represent something that perhaps, someone else could not enjoy. This is not for us to enter into a comparison about who has more and who has less, but for us to truly appreciate the kindness of God in every single one of His doings.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
But some may think: I do not have what I have asked yet, I do not have my family nearby, I do not have a job, I do not have… In the moments that we experience the most frustration, we must analyse the approach that we are taking. Do we want to see the wicked things that surround us, our lacks? Or do we want to look up to God with gratitude and hopefulness to what He said He will do and what He has given us? It may be that currently we are not experiencing what we desire, but let’s ponder in how many occasions we have seen the hand of God in our lives. Let’s meditate on the moments of our lives, just like when we look at photographs and remember the good feelings, let’s consider the good deeds of our Lord. Has He saved you of any accident? Has someone stolen something from you and then you received something better? Could you enjoy that trip that you never imagined? Could you share those unforgettable moments with your family and friends? Can you smile, see, touch, smell, taste? Do you have health? Are you alive?!
Each one of our days represent a purpose of God, maybe we cannot see it, but someone is always watching. Sometimes it may be that unconsciously we become a role model for someone else. What do we reflect? What do we want to reflect? If in these moments we come with gratitude unto the throne of grace of our God, we can see that He will take us to the place He wants us to be.
Colossians 1:12 (NLT)
12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.
The moment that God the Father says we have the right to an inheritance, it means that He has prepared something good for us, something we can share as a family and glance into His kindness in every single one of His doings. Having access to an inheritance means that we have a right as the people of God. But now it is up to us whether or not we will accept this inheritance, are we accepting it with gratitude or will we reject the good gifts of God? When we reject the good, we are settling to live in sadness, discontent, and desolation. We settle to live without the peace, joy, and the strength that God grants us for the simple fact of being grateful, for when we trust Him, He becomes our refuge.
Nahum 1:7 (AMP)
7 The Lord is good, A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him.
If we live in a constant state of gratefulness to God, we will not allow the distressing thoughts or feelings of destruction attempt to ruin our day. Even in the prayer taught by Jesus, it tells us to seek for our daily bread, which means, every day, He will grant us what we need, hence, we will feel grateful and we will live in peace feeling the peace of mind in God. When we live in gratitude and feel the serenity in Him, we allow Him to take control of what we cannot control or even of that we attempted to control.
Colossians 3:15 (AMP)
15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
Therefore, let’s look at God’s movement in our lives and be grateful to Him in everything. Even those things that looked negative have a positive aspect, even those moments we were without a job helped educate us, those dark moments when we suffered made us emerge with a new character, those moments were the sickness looked death threatening have made us see the love in the people that surround us, each instance of our lives has shown how God keeps working in us and for us. Let’s be grateful to God in everything, so in each occasion, we have His peace.
And if you have not accepted our Lord Jesus in your heart, I urge you to do it today and pray the following prayer out loud:
“Lord Jesus, I ask you for forgiveness of my sins, for my sins separate me from you. I recognize you as my only, sufficient and truthful Saviour. I break every covenant with the world, with the flesh and with the enemy. I give you thanks for the sacrifice in the cross. I know if I were to die today, I will be in your arms. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer today, write to me at kltapiahernandez@gmail.com, I would love to hear from you. And if this edified you, please share it with someone else. We are a family in Christ and we are here to help each other out. May God bless you!
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