Mysty PfefferWeek 7 of the Strength Approach to Christian Wellness begins with T. T= Thank God for His faithfulness as we actively express our gratitude. God loves us despite our continually turning to the things of this world to satisfy our longings. The good news is we can tell him in prayer our deep desires, and our struggles. At the same time, when we feel that hot shower in the morning, sip on a brewed beverage, and break our fast, we find God is faithful.
Thankfulness and actively showing gratitude for our daily provision and in our communities has a way of filling us with assurance. A warm flow of contentment spreads instead of anxiety when we trust Him. Sometimes we may say, “You know I’m not feeling it yet God, but I know you’ve got this!” But God listens and understands, as he stands beside us along the way, providing our greatest needs.
Take the example of King David for instance. In his prime, he experienced the pressure of cruelty and unjustness. In his old age, feeling spent of strength, he pours out his heart to God. Apprehension almost overtook him as he was scorned, accused, and conspired against by his enemies. Yet, he praises God as each of his basic needs were met. Do we react the same way today?
His example of thankfulness in times of distress and turmoil are impressive. Although the pressure from his adversaries’ mounts, he says, “I will hope continually and will paise you more and more. Oh God from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. You who have made me see many trials and calamites will revive me again. I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness. O my God; I will sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed (Psalm 71: 9,13,17, 20, 22,23).
A grateful heart recognizes God is still worthy of praise when circumstances are out of control. In our comfort filled lives of convenience and ease we sometimes forget to praise Him when we feel defeated and weak.
The life-threatening enemies chasing down our abundant living are stress, and poor lifestyle choices in the land of abundance. We’re not remembering the hardships of hiding in caves, or scavenging for sustenance from local farmers.
Our biggest battle is self-control.
A fruit of the Spirit we attribute to niceness, and kindness in a land of opportunity, buffets, and technology. However, for us, this age of information also comes with long work hours, and the stress of balancing work life with home life. Therefore, we are primed and ready for losing self-control in our down time.
The harmful nutritional and mind-numbing choices we make reflect our need for rest. Take for example, cell phones loaded with distracting games, puzzles, or videos, or the enticing draw of the local fast-food joints. The choices we make are ones easily available that don’t require deep thought on our part. However, they do offer a short escape from the day.
But what message does this repetitive mindless activity send to our souls or the people we love? Could it be nourishing a healthy body is too much work and down time is coveted more? How valuable is my health or my children compared to this device or this meal? What activity for myself or with them would build closer connection, physical health, and community?
Thankfulness In Action
Perhaps a short game of kickball, basketball, or soccer would boost energy levels for the caregiver, while releasing energy for kids after a long day at school. Following the activity with a family devotion, over a lovely fruit and vegetable tray, offers them sharing time with God at the center.
Even if we are beyond the caregiver role, we can find opportunities to be thankful and active in someone else’s life. Our church does a pray and go once a month, we pair up with another person and pray for specific house numbers on different streets in our neighborhood each month. This is a great activity for people of all ages to incorporate in their neighborhoods.
Maybe you love to cook, yet don’t want to cook for one person. Begin a soup or dinner exchange with a few close single friends and bring your dishes to a gathering, with a set of trays. Divide the meals or soups into the trays and you’ll each have a wonderful time together while taking home a different (and healthy) dish for each day of the week.
Activities together create a sense of thankfulness because we are stronger together. The Holy Spirit works in and among us when we love this way. We are more grateful, carefree, and lighthearted. Therefore, a stronger sense of self comes with faithfulness to our own small community.
The more involved we are with others, the less we think about our battle scars of self-doubt, self-reproach, and just getting through the day. We have an active plan to make a difference.
In the process, our focus is on God’s plan of unifying a family. A family of neighbors, churches, communities, and individuals.
Moreover, thankfulness in prayer and action allows us to move beyond our weaknesses. Trusting Him with every anxiety, binge moment, or stressor brings about His thoughtful plan to make us more like His son.
He knows failures train our hearts to trust him more, because we’re still here, still trudging through. Yet, victory over despair is won with each act of faithfulness on His part.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
biblegateway.com
Therefore, thanking him for his faithfulness and asking Him to teach us how to be actively grateful in our communities is something, we can begin practicing today. I think, God is eager to hear and see us proclaim His wondrous deeds in our lives. My prayer is that you see it too.
