The Power of a Grateful Heart

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  Image by Freepik Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Reflection: Gratitude is a powerful attitude that can transform our lives. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul encourages us to "give thanks in all circumstances." This doesn't mean we are thankful for every situation, especially the difficult ones, but it means finding reasons to be grateful even amidst our trials. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. It helps us see God's hand in our lives and recognize His blessings, no matter how small. When we cultivate a grateful heart, we start to notice the everyday miracles and the ways God provides for us. Consider the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16. While imprisoned, they chose to pray and sing hymns to God. Despite their dire circumstances, they found reasons to be grateful and praise God. Their gratitude not only sustained them but also led to a mira...

Where to Find Joy



The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.
—Psalm 25:14



People have different views of the will of God. Some imagine the will of God as something that God effectively hides from us, sort of like a divine Easter Bunny who has a golden egg put away somewhere, and as you get closer, just maybe he will give you little hints.

For others, their concept of the will of God is that it is something horrible or undesirable, sort of like a diet. All the things you like to eat are out of the diet, and you can't have any of the good stuff. That is how some people see God. They think it is boring at best and miserable at worst.
Both of these views are incorrect, however. There is joy in being in the will of God. The apostle Paul wrote to Roman believers, "Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other" (Romans 15:32).

Then we are told in Isaiah 55, "You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!" (verse 12).
There is joy and peace in the will of God. And when you are outside the will of God, there is misery and turmoil. The most miserable man or woman is the one who knows what is right and does not do it. He or she is even more miserable than a nonbeliever who has never heard the truth of the Word of God. When you know what is right and are running away from it, your life will be especially hard.

As a believer, you are a friend of God's. And He wants to reveal His will to you.

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