One afternoon at school we were talking about one of our most discussed topics: the power of our thoughts and words.
That day, we wrote down anything in our lives we didn't have peace about or that was causing us stress.
Next, for each circumstance, we wrote down anything and everything we were thankful for about that situation.
Lastly, for each circumstance, we asked God, "What do you want me to know about this situation?"
I literally felt a shift in me and in the room. By the end of this time there was a peace blanketing the room.
It was outstandingly powerful.
And you know what else?
It stems straight from God's heart.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:6-8
One more - just for fun. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I've been thinking a lot about thankfulness since that day. I've also been putting it into practice.
That's what inspired this.
I wanted to see more first hand what happens when we really go after gratitude.
The goal was to focus not on the negative, but to intentionally choose and pursue the positive on a daily basis and think about such things, despite circumstances and despite where thoughts or emotions wanted try and carry me that day.
That was my initial 21 day adventure and pursuit. (It became a 21+ day adventure and pursuit.)
Each day, I asked and answered a "5 things" question. Every question was about thankfulness in a particular area of life. A complete list can be found here.
On the surface, it might have looked like a little Facebook rally for positivity. I promised then, and I promise now that it's way beyond that.
Here are some things I'm learning on my 21+ day pursuit:
That day, we wrote down anything in our lives we didn't have peace about or that was causing us stress.
Next, for each circumstance, we wrote down anything and everything we were thankful for about that situation.
Lastly, for each circumstance, we asked God, "What do you want me to know about this situation?"
I literally felt a shift in me and in the room. By the end of this time there was a peace blanketing the room.
It was outstandingly powerful.
And you know what else?
It stems straight from God's heart.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:6-8
One more - just for fun. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I've been thinking a lot about thankfulness since that day. I've also been putting it into practice.
That's what inspired this.
I wanted to see more first hand what happens when we really go after gratitude.The goal was to focus not on the negative, but to intentionally choose and pursue the positive on a daily basis and think about such things, despite circumstances and despite where thoughts or emotions wanted try and carry me that day.
That was my initial 21 day adventure and pursuit. (It became a 21+ day adventure and pursuit.)
Each day, I asked and answered a "5 things" question. Every question was about thankfulness in a particular area of life. A complete list can be found here.
On the surface, it might have looked like a little Facebook rally for positivity. I promised then, and I promise now that it's way beyond that.
Here are some things I'm learning on my 21+ day pursuit:
- It truly is part of God's heart and will for us. It's .
- Taking the first point and going one more step - if this is part of God's heart and will for us, then believe it's part of our true identity. As a Daughter of God, I should be thankful. Not out of a "have to be" but out of a natural overflow of who I am created to be. It's part of my new identity in Christ.
- The enemy tries to get us to act out of character. The enemy tries to deceive and make us believe that God isn't who He says He is and that we aren't who God says we are. So we have a choice. Who will we believe?
- Our outward circumstances do not need to dictate our inner condition. For far too long I have given my circumstances permission to control me. Nope. Time to stop that. Will there still be super hard days? ...Yes. Plan on it. BUT...we can choose how we respond. No more victim mentality. It's reeks destruction. Choose restoration instead.
- Some days are much easier than others. However, the hard days are the true test days. It's when the rubber hits the road. It's in the most challenging days and circumstances that I have seen the greatest breakthrough by choosing thankfulness.
- It's changing me.
- It's changing my surroundings.
- It's contagious.
- Choosing thankfulness is like linking arms with God and His movements and is a part of seeing heaven come on earth. This is HUUUUUUGE. We can no longer underestimate our thoughts and words and the power behind them. (Sidenote - if choosing thankfulness links our arms with God...think of the implications of choosing negativity/complaining/whining/bitterness/unforgiveness/etc...I believe it's like linking arms with the demonic, evil realm. This really is a big deal. The enemy doesn't want us to know this. But too late. Secret's out.)
- Unforgiveness makes it pretty stinkin' hard to be thankful. Unforgiveness makes us prisoners, locked up in a jail cell. Jesus has already paid the price for our freedom and new identity in Him. If you've repented (turned in the opposite direction of where you were going) and have given your life to Christ, you actually already hold the key to get of this jail cell. This key has a tag on it that reads, "Forgiveness." Many of us are trapped and don't realize it's not that hard to get out.
Choose forgiveness. Be specific. Pray, "Father God, I forgive (specific person) for (name outloud the specific things)." Keep calling it out, giving God access to uproot the unhealthiness, bitterness, hurt, etc. Forgive yourself for partnering with unforgiveness and the things that come with it. Repent (turn the other direction). Ask God, "What is Your truth?" Listen for His voice and receive it. Whenever something is uprooted in us, something will take it's place. If it doesn't get filled with truth right away, more lies and deception will enter right back in. - Living from a place of thankfulness is part of having a victorious mindset and living a victorious lifestyle.
Still want more proof that there's something with this whole thankfulness thing? Here are a few articles I found online. I'm coming from the perspective and truth that God is the originator of thankfulness, that He's the giver of the blessings in our lives. He is who I thank for these things. Some of these sites don't hold that view but are recognizing there is something very powerful about gratitude.
But want the ultimate proof? Try it out in your own life. Visit 5 things - a 21 day pursuit on Facebook.
I dare you to open yourself up to God and His heart in this whole ordeal and see what happens...
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