This is the Will of God for YOU

I had a conversation with someone recently that was telling me about their current situation that seems dire.

You have a place to take a bath, I am assuming. You have clean clothes in your bedroom to wear and a bed to crawl into when the time comes that is warm and safe.

You have food in your pantry and a stove to cook it on.

Most of us have an abundance of STUFF, yet we think we are lacking.

What if you didn't?

Let's say you found yourself without a job, without a home, with one change of clothes, no vehicle, no money, no hope.......

Do you think you would be thankful?

Honestly?

I am going to take a chance and answer that for you.

NO.

You would not.

How can I say that?

Because you are not thankful now.

Oh, I said it. And, if you can be honest, you know it's the truth.

You AREN'T thankful.

Every day you are living in abundance. Even if you choose not to see it.

Do problems come? You bet they do. So does heartache and sorrow. So does grief and pain. He didn't tell us to give thanks when we have an overflow. Let's look at that verse, shall we?

I Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Every.
Thing.

Not In SOME things give thanks.

Not In HAPPY things give thanks.

The person I was talking with is burdened down. Truly at the bottom.

My advise?

Thank GOD for the bottom. Really.

I spent several years outside of the Will of God. Way outside. And, in order for God to bring me back I had to hit my own bottom. I lay awake night after night begging God and in total and utter fear. Because of those times, I have broken places, I have scars that I should not have.

This morning in prayer I began to lift my voice in thanksgiving for every broken place, every scar, because through those scars and through that brokenness I learned to turn to Him to heal me.

Through the death of my parents and through the death of my marriage I learned to turn to Him for comfort.

Through the trials I face I learned to look to Him for guidance and wisdom.

Through the fear I learned to turn to Him for strength.

Because of my own fall, I can see others living outside of the Mercy of God with NEW eyes, eyes of compassion. And it has given me a new sense of urgency to reach the lost world.

As I poured out my thanks to Him this morning, He met me there and poured out His Spirit on me.

This IS the will of God for me.....