Peace and Thanksgiving

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  - Philippians 4:6-8


God's peace transcends all understanding?  How amazing is this, really think about it! 

Through Jesus we are all promised this kind of unthinkable peace.  But like anything it takes focus and practice... this is not just for some of us, it is for all of us.  In the verse above we are reminded to not worry, but to ask God in prayer for the desires of our heart.  We are also reminded to keep our focus on joyful things (pure, lovely, admirable, right, noble, excellent, praiseworthy things), why do you think?  God knows our hearts, he knows human instinct, he created us :)  He knows we need to be reminded that to focus on anything but the good is a waste of time!! We all have battles to fight, but staying focused on the joy of the day, small victories and the happiness in your life will only help you win your battles.

A few months ago I started thanking God at the end of the day for all he had done for me that day, and saying a prayer of thankful anticipation in the morning for what the day held for me.  Such a small thing, it takes a minute or two, but it changed so much for me.  I have been filled with much more joy and so much less anxiety and stress. It is so easy to forget how to rest in the shadow of God, but thanking him is such an easy way to stay connected.  Through thanksgiving we can find that place of complete peace; peace with ourselves, with our situations, with others and mostly with God. 

Thankful Lions!!