Gratitude And Praise
Nothing
tends more to promote health
of body and soul
than does a spirit of
gratitude and praise.
It is a law of
nature that our thoughts and feelings are encouraged and strengthened as
we give them utterance (say them out loud).
While words express
thoughts,
it is also true that thoughts follow words.
If you will give more
expression to your faith (remember it is not the quantity but the quality
of your faith), rejoice more in the blessings that you know you have.
You will have more faith and
greater joy.
You
have at least four if you are reading this
1. a blessing you are alive
2. you can
see
3&4. the great mercy and love of God
No tongue can express, no finite mind can conceive, the
blessing that results from appreciating the goodness and love of
God.
Even on earth we may have joy as a well-spring, never failing,
because fed by the streams that flow from the throne of God.
It is a
positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings,--
as much a duty as it is to pray. If we are heaven-bound, how can we
go as a band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the way to
our Father's house?
Often your mind
may be clouded because of pain. Then do not try to think. You
know that Jesus loves you. He understands your weakness. You
may do His will by simply resting in His arms.
Educate your
heart and lips to speak the praise of God for His matchless love.
Educate your soul to be hopeful,
and to abide
in the light shining from the cross of Calvary.
Never forget that you are the child of the heavenly
King,
a son or daughter of the Lord of hosts. It is our privilege to
maintain a calm repose in God.
"Let the peace
of God rule in your hearts; ... and be ye thankful." (Col. 3:15)
Forgetting your own difficulties and troubles, praise God for an
opportunity to live for the glory of His name.
Let the fresh
blessings of each new day awaken praise in your heart for these tokens of
His loving care.
When you open your eyes in the morning, thank God
that He has kept you through Morning, noon, and night, let gratitude as
sweet perfume ascend to heaven.
When some one
asks how you are feeling, do not try to think of something mournful to
tell in order to gain sympathy. Do not talk of your lack of faith
and your sorrows and sufferings.
The tempter delights
to hear such words. When talking on gloomy subjects, you are
glorifying him. We are not to dwell on the great power of Satan to
overcome us.
Often we give ourselves into his hands by talking of his
power. Talk instead of the great power of God to bind up all your
interests with His own.
Tell of the matchless power of Christ,
and
speak of His glory!
All thousands
upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand, and commissioned
to
minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. They guard us
against evil, and press back the powers of darkness that are seeking our
destruction.
Have we not
reason to be thankful every moment, thankful even when there are
apparent difficulties in our pathway?
Count your many blessings...
Count them one by one...
And you will see
what
the Lord God has done!
