I think I've rediscovered a major key to having a balanced and full life.
I reckon its that important !
The antidote to this world of stress, its frenetic pace, and the pursuit of happiness, which brings with it the consequential ailments of depression, anxiety, mental imbalance, bi-polar disorder and narcissism … and then there's the supreme blight of this day and age … selfishness.
But its rather obvious when you stop and consider it, yet so powerful.
Nothings quite that simple, yet this would seem to be a main ingredient to a balanced life
… being THANKFUL, being GRATEFUL in ALL situations and circumstances
in other words THANKFULNESS and GRATITUDE even when ALL seems contrary
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 5:20
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you I Thessalonians 5:18
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him Colossians 3:17
IN ALL THINGS, in ALL circumstances, to find something that you can be truly thankful for … not just when things go our way, but in all the opposites and downers of life … to be grateful and thankful. And this simple act of attitude will immediately change our temper, our reactions, our demeanor and our mind-set as nothing else can possibly do for us.
'Its not the gale but the set of the sail that determines which way you go' ... the saying that any yachtsman will verify
Paul, at sea, after a ferocious storm that lasted 14 days, in peril, wet, cold and without food for that time Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Acts 27:33-35
Which leads on to the old but common custom that I for one was brought up with … the saying of GRACE before a meal … pausing to give thanks to God for his provision.
This simple custom that has largely fallen into neglect by this generation as being too blaze … or just being too busy to take the time in this frenetic age of TV dinners and takeaways ? But in its simplicity, an acknowledgment of the source of our life and sustenance .. . God Himself.
For about half a century now, I have enjoyed a daily walk, through all seasons and weathers ! It started at night, just before going to bed, but eventually changed to the mornings, immediately after rising. For me it is not just some necessary daily exercise but a 'walk and talk' … with God. But for the last decade or so, I have noticed that my prayers have diminished … into thankfulness and praise. And my most common words are simply … Thank-you Lord for LIFE, HEALTH and strength above and before all else. And for yet another day on this amazing planet. And for this amazing creation, the animal kingdom, marine life, the insect world, birds and fauna … you have done an amazing job Lord … THANKYOU so very much
And so, thankfulness merges in to PRAISE as it ought !
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; Psalm 100:4
also Psalms 26:7, 50:14, 60:30, 85:2, 107:22, 116:17, 147:7 where the Psalmist knew the value of thankfulness and repeatedly states it.
There is something to be found worthy of our thanks in ALL of our situations ..
Jesus on the 2 separate occasions before he fed the 4,000 and the 5,000 men (plus women and children so a crowd of about 10,000 total), took the loaves and fishes and GAVE THANKS to his Father God And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. Mark 8:6, John 6:11 Matthew 15:36 Then he distributed and fed those 10,000 hungry people, and picked up the scraps and filled 12 baskets (probably enough for the morrow)
Jesus, on the last night before Calvary, at the last supper, even then gave thanks.
He knew this simple secret of an abundant life Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. Matthew 26:27 Luke 22:17,19 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11;24
Oh the release that it beings with it, the reversal of stress in whatever difficult situation, the calming effect on ones mind. To the correcting of any and every mental imbalance … to be settled, to be calm, serene, to be balanced … all by simply saying T H A N K S … to simply stop and 'count ones blessings'
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
To be serene in the knowledge that every storm will eventually blow itself out, and will pass and leave a great calm Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:24 Matthew 8:26 Mark 4:38
Oh, to be unaffected by the storms of life that inevitably beat upon us.
One good thing about the American people – they have their annual THANKSGIVING DAY (the 4th Thursday in November) instituted by the pilgrims and Founding Fathers … who knew the source of blessing and freely acknowledged it
Jonah, in the belly of the great fish, even there THANKED GOD But I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 2:9 whereupon the fish spewed him out onto dry land, all safe and sound.
Daniel prayed and thanked his God 3 times daily and he was sustained even in a den of hungry lions when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel 6:10
THANKFULNESS ... which is the twin sister of PRAISE … the other great key to a full and balanced life.
And, the great lesson of UN-Thankfulness …
although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21-32
that is predicted for these last days
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 1 Timothy 3:2
where the unholy and the un-thankful are again linked
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Luke 6:35
and the inner blight that results from such ingratitude.
Ohhh to learn again this remarkable secret, and to exhibit and demonstrate it to our off-spring and grandchildren, and to all we come in contact with, in ALL the myriad of situations of life that we experience along our pilgrimage.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 1 Timothy 2:1
Simple yet powerful stuff … wow
2 Books that we highly recommend that will assist remarkably, even revolutionise ….
FREEDOM DIARIES by MARK HOLLOWAY
THE STRESS PANDEMIC by PAUL HULJICH
