Perhaps you’ve heard the 1940s song by Johnny Mercer that says, “You’ve got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and latch on to the affirmative.” The thing is, that’s a hollow platitude without Christ. Chesterton, we take many things for granted when we should take them with gratitude.Įven our pagan world knows this. When there are dark clouds, we can thank Him for silver linings. When we face a setback, we can thank Him for all the areas of life that are in good shape. When we’re sick, we can still thank God for the parts of our body that are working well and for the diseases we do not have. We enjoy clearer vision when we look at life through the lens of thanksgiving. Ann Voskamp 1 Through the Lens of Thanksgiving While I may not always feel joy, God asks me to give thanks in all things, because He knows that the feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving. If you would like to learn more about GCU’s Christian identity and heritage or would like to read more devotionals please visit our website and check out the GCU Blog.To give thanks is an action and rejoice is a verb and these things are not mere pulsing emotions. Grand Canyon University is committed to following the Lord in all circumstances. “You make known to me the path of life in your presence there is fullness of joy at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:11 Live like God would want you to live and live for his glory. Be a light to those around you and be happy with the life that God has given you. He wants you to live a happy life and spread his light and joy to those around you and that is hard to do when you are stuck in darkness. “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 4:13 Live Life Like God Intended Think of the things that God has given you that you are thankful for. God only wants good things for your life and wants you to be happy. Look on the bright side of things and think of the little things that you are thankful for. Try to look on the bright side of things and choose that you will be happy when you wake up in the morning. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6 He Wants You to Be HappyĬhoose to start every day with happiness. “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. He hears you and will listen to everything you have to say. Give him everything that is on your mind and in your heart. Put on some music and be still and praise God for the things he has given you and trust him in what he will do in the future. Another way you can do this is through worship. Dive into God’s word directly and listen to what he has to say and be reminded of what God has planned for you. One way is you can read your Bible, or start a devotional. If you are feeling down, in darkness and stuck in routine, spend time with the one who brings light. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12 Spend More Time with God They will remind you of why they are important to you and bring light to your life. These people will help bring you more joy and happiness. Surround yourself with the people that mean the most to you. Ask a good friend to meet up for coffee or call your mom on the phone and ask her how her day is. Make an effort to spend more time with the people in your life that are important to you. So glorify God in your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20 Spend More Time with Others Go out and spend time doing what you like and doing something for yourself and something that brings more light into your life. Get outside of your daily routine and do something that brings you more joy. Try doing something to shake up your normal routine. Get out of your routine and do something new, whether it is going to a yoga class, or studying at a different coffee shop. Stop doing the same thing every single day. If you feel stuck in darkness, and need to find the light of Jesus, here are some things that you can do. Maybe you are just living through the routine day in and day out. You may be going through a season of life where you feel stuck, you do not know where you are going or what you are doing with your life. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
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