{From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18}: Part 2
Time for the first point that I wanted to share with you guys about the verses in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18!
These verses, oddly enough, remind me of arguing with God. You see, sometimes with verses like these, what God is very clearly directing us in is to rejoice always, to pray continually, and always give thanks. Three very clear commands that bring us into a closer, sweeter communion with our Omniscient Creator. The funny thing is, I often act like what He says through this text is less than true. Whether verbally, or BY MY ACTIONS I go against what God tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
I'll show you. Since I love to write, when I find myself: being a grump (the opposite of rejoicing, right?), not finding time for prayer (opposite of praying continually), or am being ungrateful or am complaining about everything that is going on in a way that is not helpful to anyone (opposite of giving thanks, and might I add, so hard to acknowledge in ourselves- ahem, pride), this is one of my favorite remedies.
I get a journal and a pen. Then I write my complete, unedited thoughts. It usually starts off with a gripe or me trying to tell God why I am so busy and that he just has to know that I have X, Y, and Z to take care of and he just has to understand why I can't pray. And then, I tell him how important I know it is to pray... And I begin to realize that the words I am stringing along in my journal are sounding silly... Not in the "oh, how stupid is it that I am writing this. Lame-o" kind-of-way, but somehow this re-focuses me. The pen and paper (and the Holy Spirit) sort the emotion out and help me to prioritize with renewed clarity of what's important.
Yes, I can rejoice in Him.
Prayer is worth my time.
Gratitude lifts my spirit and others'.
To finish for this week, I just want to say that God is good. All of the time! (Just taking a moment to rejoice over here!!)
I will be sure to post the last little bit early next week! I hope it will encourage you!
God's Word is true and alive and shows us the way to His Best for us.
May you go forth with rejoicing, prayerfulness, and gratefulness towards our good, good Father!
Best,
Mel XO
These verses, oddly enough, remind me of arguing with God. You see, sometimes with verses like these, what God is very clearly directing us in is to rejoice always, to pray continually, and always give thanks. Three very clear commands that bring us into a closer, sweeter communion with our Omniscient Creator. The funny thing is, I often act like what He says through this text is less than true. Whether verbally, or BY MY ACTIONS I go against what God tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
I'll show you. Since I love to write, when I find myself: being a grump (the opposite of rejoicing, right?), not finding time for prayer (opposite of praying continually), or am being ungrateful or am complaining about everything that is going on in a way that is not helpful to anyone (opposite of giving thanks, and might I add, so hard to acknowledge in ourselves- ahem, pride), this is one of my favorite remedies.
I get a journal and a pen. Then I write my complete, unedited thoughts. It usually starts off with a gripe or me trying to tell God why I am so busy and that he just has to know that I have X, Y, and Z to take care of and he just has to understand why I can't pray. And then, I tell him how important I know it is to pray... And I begin to realize that the words I am stringing along in my journal are sounding silly... Not in the "oh, how stupid is it that I am writing this. Lame-o" kind-of-way, but somehow this re-focuses me. The pen and paper (and the Holy Spirit) sort the emotion out and help me to prioritize with renewed clarity of what's important.
Yes, I can rejoice in Him.
Prayer is worth my time.
Gratitude lifts my spirit and others'.
To finish for this week, I just want to say that God is good. All of the time! (Just taking a moment to rejoice over here!!)
I will be sure to post the last little bit early next week! I hope it will encourage you!
God's Word is true and alive and shows us the way to His Best for us.
May you go forth with rejoicing, prayerfulness, and gratefulness towards our good, good Father!
Best,
Mel XO
Comments
Post a Comment