Be Thankful in All Circumstances

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

This hit me like a rock today.

I try to be positive. I do my best not to put negative comments on my facebook page. or my blog. I try not to complain to friends. or family.  I know that there are homeless children with no families in Haiti. I have seen it. My heart breaks for them. I watch things on television about the earthquake in Japan with tears in my eyes. I have such a heart for these countries that are having to live in such devastation. Family members lost, not knowing if they will ever seen them again. People are diagnosed with life threatening illnesses daily. Some women are unable to bear children.  Some don't have homes. There is so much sadness in this world. Sometimes I just want to ask myself Why I feel the way I do? Frustrates me.

I truly have been blessed. My family is healthy. I have a Godly husband. I live in a free country. So many blessings, so why do I feel the need to complain? I really don't know.

God has been moving in my life, and the life of my family. I know that I am doing His will...I have no doubts. But I also know that the Devil is aware of this little tidbit of information too. He sure doesn't like for me to be close to the Lord. He does everything within his power to make that more difficult. He likes to cause disruption in our lives. Ugh. Enough said. If anything, this should make my walk with the Lord stronger. That is what I want. But it is so difficult. There have been days lately that all I want to do is cry. And go into the "poor pitiful me" syndrome. I feel that God wants me to step out in faith. Follow Him. Which is requiring sacrifice. Sacrifice isn't easy. It sounds so "heroic"...but it hurts. Me and my family as well in a number of ways~Financially. Mentally. You name it, and I could probably list it here. Have had pretty rotten attitude lately.  So, why am I writing this? I am not sure. lol. Writing sometimes is therapy to me. It's almost like putting my thoughts down to read, helps me to make more sense of them.

My devotion this morning talked about being thankful...I thought to myself, I am thankful...Not a problem...but then I really started thinking about how I have felt this past week or two. Have I really acted Thankful? I have been focusing on my problems...and not being able to enjoy life because of that. Straight from my devotion..... 

"When you focus on what you don't have or on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened. You take for granted life, salvation, sunshine, flowers, and countless other gifts from God. You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is " fixed"

It is not about me or my "problems". I need to take satisfaction in that what I do, I do for my Lord. He is the source of happiness and joy. He is the reason I am doing these things. My photography business is for God and God alone. I sometimes lose sight of that and get caught up in the "stuff" but very thankful that I worship a God that lets me know when I go astray. I'm thankful for my circumstances and that God is still in control.

Today I will be Thankful.