What it's not
1Thessalonians 5:18
We have all at one time gone around complaining at what our life has set before us. Complaining about our job, no money, how our bodies might hurt and that we don't feel good. Wondering how much more can we take.
But let me ask you this, have you ever stopped and thanked God for what it's not?
This week I was challenged to thank God for what it was not. I never realized before now that what I was complaining about could have been more serious.
What it's not- is that we could be without a job, living on the streets with no home and food or lying in a hospital bed alone and dying.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Message) says "Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."
God tells us to thank Him for everything no matter what state we may be in.
I challenge you and myself to let us take a step back and thank God for what it's not. Then you will see that in the mist of thanking and praising God for whats it's not is when He will come through and show up right were we need Him to be.
Dear God ,
I pray at this very moment that you will begin to remind us of what it's not. That no matter what life's challenges are that we will praise you. You have given so much to us already that there is no need to complain. Lord there are so many people out there that have only a little yet they know its so much and here we are questioning you. Lord forgive us for doubting you and for not seeing what you have placed in front of us. Thank you Lord for being so merciful to us when we can be so selfish. Give us a daily reminder of what it's not and of who you are..
Amen
Better than what it is not, is to view things as they are, apart from our own selfish perspective. That is thank God that I don't have to earn my salvation, PRAISE GOD that He called me, thank God that through Jesus Christ I have hope of a better place than earth could ever even hope to offer. That this life is good because God created it, but even better because it is only temporary, and then eternal life in heaven, where there is no pain, no fear, no hate, there's not even any hunger! I can't wait!
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