1 Thessalonians: 16-18

“Be joyful always, pray continually: give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Your world is falling down around you. You’re dizzy and not sure which way to turn. You are unsure of what decision to make. You’re impatient and life feels like  a continous wait and see game. You’re stressed out to the max. You tend to focus all your energy on solving the problem yourself. You worry. You lose sleep. You cry. Your stomach hurts. Your back hurts. You’re run down. In the midst of the storm, you forget to pray and for sure you forget to be thankful for the blessings.

You’re so absorbed in the bad stuff that you forget to look at all the things God has provided for you so far…

Remember that old phrase…” Can’t see the forest for the trees?”

Meaning: If you can’t see the forest for the trees, you can’t see the whole situation clearly because you’re looking too closely at small details, or because you’re too closely involved.

We need to stand back and remember that God has a plan for you. There is a bigger picture- a beautiful forest.

Before you start a begging-  worried “wart” prayer,  start the entire prayer OUTLOUD with a prayer of thankgiving. List all the things in your life that are right.  Thank God first, then call on Him for Help.

Life Application:

1. Besides the obvious, what has God provided you, done for you or for your family that you are thankful for?

(Take a pen and piece a paper out: for a week write down everything that you are thankful for…things that are RIGHT. Small blessings to Bigger blessings…)

2. Pray to God Outloud Everyday this week: Start with things you are thankful for…then ask for his help. Do this every day at the same time!

HAPPY VALENTINES! Jesus Loves You and So Do I!