Life is full of trials and tribulations for sure. It seems that most everyone has a skeleton or two in their closet. None of us have lived perfect lives, and we all could complain about our lot in life if we so choose.
I’d like to encourage you today, however, to thank God for what He has kept you from. No matter how bad things may have been, or even are today, what calamity, what illness, what problem has He spared in your life?
Consider your health:
You may not feel 100% healthy, and you may even have some health problems. You might be on medication for various illnesses – high blood sugar, thyroid problems, high or low blood pressure, on and on it goes. However — you are still here! You woke up this morning! You may have gone to work, made some money, and are looking forward to a good dinner with your family! What a blessing!
Consider your relationships:
You may be single, married, widowed, divorced, or engaged. This is for everyone to consider – even if things are perfect, do you have people in your life who love you? Are there friends or family members who check up on you? Do you know of some folks that you can call to just chat or ask for prayer? And even if the answer to every single one of those questions is “no,” there is the world’s best friend, One who will never leave you, and Who is always there! Yes, I’m talking about the Lord, the friend that sticks closer than a brother. What a friend we have in Jesus!
Consider your worldly possessions:
From time to time, we are tempted to look at someone else and wish we had that car, that house, that “thing,” whatever it may be. Consider for a moment the blessings that you do have on your life. Do you have a roof over your head, food to eat, clothes to wear? As the old song says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” Spend time thanking God for all He’s given to you – the many blessings. And most of us know someone who has much less than we do, someone who would be thankful for even half of what you or I have. We should pray for them and help them if we have the means to do so.
Consider your past: Everyone has skeletons in their closet, something that they wish they had not done, or a memory that creates pain. Rather than focusing on the past, we are encouraged to forget the past and reach for the things in front of us!
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
Sure, things could be better some days. But all in all, we have SO much to be thankful for! God has kept us from so many things! We don’t know what tomorrow holds but we do know WHO holds tomorrow! What a mighty God we serve!
New Life Church in Washington, NC
Here at New Life, we aren’t perfect. We know what it’s like to feel pain and deal with the trials of life. However, we also know that we have hope and joy when we walk with Jesus day by day! He keeps us, protects us, guides us, and He ALWAYS loves us! If you’re looking for a church in our area, this is a personal invitation to come and visit us. We would love to have you, your family, your children, and your friends join us for one of our services. Reach out to us if we can pray for you or answer any of your questions! God bless!