In prayer this morning, I began thanking God for all of my circumstances. If it weren't for them, I would not be where I am in my journey with God. I know that it can be hard to thank God for things, especially things that seem difficult. I recalled a teaching I heard Joyce Meyer preach 15 or 20 years ago about people who are unsatisfied.
"If only I had this, if only I had that", "If only I had a bigger house", "If only I had someone to clean my bigger house", etc. Attitude is everything, and cultivating a heart of gratitude takes REAL work! As I was reflecting and thanking god for the things I have walked through, that my family has walked through, and that we have had to overcome, I was filled with gratitude. Thanking god for the strength and the grace to not only make it through tough times, but to come out stronger, and more refined.
I have a word of encouragement for you today that has to do with your feelings. Are you feeling down? Are you feeling depressed? Stressed? Anxious? Overwhelmed? There is a secret to unlock in your prayer life today- the power of thanking God that you can FEEL.
Take a moment and thank God that your emotions are in proper working condition! That you can feel these feeling that seem to consume you. God created us with feelings, emotions, and as complex creatures they serve a purpose.
Today, I thank God that my hurts of the past didn't take me down, to numbness. I am thanking God today for the ability to still "feel". If we align ourselves right, exploiting the feelings that seem to consume us for God's glory, we can truly channel that energy into confidence in our walk with God that sets us up for breakthrough! Use this prayer starter to overcome negative feelings and get into alignment with God today.
Holy Father, I thank You today.
Thank you for the emotions that I CAN feel today. Thank You for not leaving me as I am, but continuing to work in me today. Thank You that I am not "numb", but that I have the ability to "feel" and that You can and will use these emotions in me to keep pressing forward.
Thank you that I can sympathize, empathize, and share in compassion for others. That through emotions, I can truly "feel" with others. Thank you for filling me now with strengthening emotions that help propel me forward in my walk with You. Thank You for the evidence that You are working in my life today by the faith that arises when I turn toward You in prayer and thanksgiving, that this alone, turning to You in prayer, is evidence that I have faith. That I am not numbe, dead, or hopeless.
I declare that today is a GOOD day. That God has plans to prosper me, to give me a hope and a future. Thank You God for fighting for my life, today I agree with You and choose LIFE. In the name of Jesus, Amen.