Gratitude!

I went to bed last night in kinda a funk wrestling with God about a few things and after wrestling He reminded me that if I take on a posture of gratitude the things that are weighing me down won't feel quiet so heavy. When I check in with twitter world today Paula White had posted this blog below. I love how God is always working globally!!!

“Joseph replied, ‘Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children.’ He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.”Genesis 50:19-20

These are the words Joseph spoke to the people who sent his life into a tailspin. Joseph had done nothing but gone downhill since he saw these people last, and they were the catalyst that caused his downhill fall…or so it looked in the natural. By that time, Joseph had learned a valuable lesson, and he was sharing it with us. Things are rarely as they first appear. When Joseph was sold as a slave, it was quite a demotion. He had just been given the promise of God of his destiny. God showed Joseph the end of his life right from the beginning. But what God didn’t show Joseph was the mess in between.

I want to ask you today: Are you in the mess in the middle? Remember Joseph’s story as a pattern of God’s promises. God always fulfills His promises. He can always be trusted to bring His promises to pass. Our God is a God of true drama, twist ending stories that leave you holding on to your hat wondering what comes next! When we have this settled in our hearts, we can be thankful for what we do have and stay in faith for “what comes next.” With God, something always comes next!

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. Gratitude is a necessity for empowered and purposeful living.

Everything in your life isn’t sent from God (like Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery). But everything in your life is used by God to catapult you into your destiny. Because we know this, we need to “set” our minds into an attitude of gratitude! Every day, we are either expanding or contracting. Offering God the sacrifices of gratitude is sometimes the key we need for breakthrough. When we thank God for what we have, we are forced to refocus on the positive. We release refreshing faith and trust in God. This causes growth and promotion! When we complain, the opposite happens.

“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he that has a merry heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15 Even in Joseph’s time of affliction, he was available to speak the word of God. He didn’t sit around moping or complaining, but he did Gods work right there in that prison cell. And Joseph got his promotion into destiny. When we look at Joseph’s time on a “lower level,” we see that it actually helped him. When you get your promotion and look back, you will see the same thing. That’s why we need to be thankful, no matter the circumstance. We never know what God is using it for. As long as you complain, you will remain. When you start to praise, you will get raised. Begin to re-frame your life by adapting a “student” and not a “victim” mentality.

Whatever life event you face, choose not to “waste” your trial, but turn your pain into purpose. It may not be God-sent, but it can be God-used. You’re not a victim of what happened to you…you’re a student being transformed into the very character of Jesus Christ. Your destiny is to bring Him glory! And God will bring you to your Promised Land at the perfect time!