My heart always makes a positive turn in November ... a turn for the better. A change that I pray will take up permanent residence in my heart. I become more thankful. Over the last couple of weeks the Lord has brought to mind Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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, 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.
There is much in my life to worry about. Life is hard, isn't it? But despite my trials, God's Word makes it clear that I am to rejoice at all times... in every circumstance. When my 2 year old didn't nap and from 5-6pm cried most of the time, rejoice! When my 9 year old's attitude is poor, rejoice! When my 6 year old is crying because she may have to live in China one day and Christianity has to be undercover (yes, she really did the other night when we talked about how blessed we are to live in the USA), rejoice! When my husband is working long hours and I'm exhausted, rejoice! When I have a nagging cough that won't go away and is causing me to lose sleep, rejoice! You get the point: REJOICE!
And we have much to rejoice about! Mainly that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for me. He took my place so that I may live with him in eternity someday, and so that now on earth I can take refuge in him and know that I am never alone. Do you know that he will never leave me or forsake me? He says so many times over in his Word ... Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 9:10, Hebrews 13:5 to name a few.
I have the Phil 4:8 on a sticky note in my kitchen and in my car. When I'm tempted to revel in a bad situation or gripe about how frustrated I am, my Lord gently reminds me to think about what's true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Sometimes I run through the list and if what I'm thinking doesn't match up to all of the above words, I stop. It's hard to worry when you are thinking thoughts that fulfill this verse.
And we have much to rejoice about! Mainly that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for me. He took my place so that I may live with him in eternity someday, and so that now on earth I can take refuge in him and know that I am never alone. Do you know that he will never leave me or forsake me? He says so many times over in his Word ... Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 9:10, Hebrews 13:5 to name a few.
I have the Phil 4:8 on a sticky note in my kitchen and in my car. When I'm tempted to revel in a bad situation or gripe about how frustrated I am, my Lord gently reminds me to think about what's true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Sometimes I run through the list and if what I'm thinking doesn't match up to all of the above words, I stop. It's hard to worry when you are thinking thoughts that fulfill this verse.
Praise the Lord with me for a month when we are reminded to give thanks. 
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving!
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