Always be joyful and never stop praying.  

      Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ.

             This is what God wants you to do.

                                                                  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 CEV the Bible

 

Have you had one of those weeks that if you had read that verse, “Whatever happens, keep thanking God…” you would have said, “Are you kidding me?!”

I did have one of those weeks.

I’m really trying to “keep thanking God.”   But, seriously, it’s not easy.

Since beginning this blog and faithfully publishing a Joy Day! post each week, I’ve been challenged.  Do I really believe what I write?  Do I really believe that my joy is not conditional on circumstance?  Do I really believe that God is greater than any circumstance?

 

Always be joyful - learn to give thanks - whatever happens

 

We’ve talked on several occasions about the joy we get from giving thanks.  We’ve even addressed the times when it’s really difficult to give thanks.  But, that doesn’t make it any easier when the laptop which is only 3 years old blows up and the expert says 70 percent at best to recover your data and 40% at best to restore the computer.  Oh…and the expert charges $70/hour for me to gamble on the best possibility with my few dollars.

 

Giving thanks no matter the circumstance

 

Thank you God!

 

The only way to make that statement is to believe it.  And the only way to believe it is to have a God who isn’t bound by this stuff that gets us mired.  My God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than I can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)  So, yes, I can say, “Thanks for the blessing of a laptop for 3 years.”  “Thanks for a crashed laptop.”  “Thanks that my husband will allow me to use his in the evening when he isn’t using it.”  “Thanks that, you God hear my prayer and will answer me.”  “Thanks for the time that I would have spent on the computer which can now be used for something else.”  “Thank you for this challenge that makes me lean on you hard, God.”  “Thanks for being a God who really is able.”  “Thanks for being my Provider.”  “Thanks for working all things out for my good and your glory.”   (Romans 8:28)

 

Give thanks regardless of the circumstance

 

Today is Joy Day!   Not happiness day.

Laptop or no laptop….

Today is the day (I) we rejoice in God…

Rejoice in His goodness, His love, His grace.

The ONE and only SOURCE of our joy.

Am I frustrated?  Are you needy or lonely?  Am I afraid? Are you in need of help or hope?

Let’s join with the psalmist who wrote these words:

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.  Psalm 68:19

 

Maybe you’re like me.  I’m a doer, a fixer.  What do I (you) need to do?  Trust God and Praise Him.

I know, that’s just too simple.  We want things to be big and complicated.  That’s not God’s way.

Let’s do it His way.

Join me in praising Him….

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150 NIV

 

Would join me in giving thanks?  Just count seven from the many of this week.

I’ll start….

Thank you God for

  1. the inconvenience and expense of an unexpected car repair.
  2. cooler weather.
  3. a new friend and team member.
  4. a crashed computer.
  5. peach shortcake.
  6. BLT sammies.
  7. YOUR goodness – all the time.

Now it’s your turn.  Count seven and leave them in comment section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

 

Just writing this post changed my heart.  One act of obedience.  Doing what God leads us to do really does help.

 

What challenges are you experiencing?

 

Let’s pray and praise Him together.

 

Joyfully!

Diane

Take the Joy Dare at: A Holy Experience.   Or find ONE THING to be thankful for each day and write it down.  Then, come back next week and share your joys here.

Linking to: Spiritual Sundays + The Wellspring + A Holy Experience

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 Thanks so much for reading!  

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Comments

  1. How wonderful to have found you through The Wellspring. I LOVE this post! Some things I’m thankful for this week: 1. my first hot cup of coffee in the morning … why is it SO good? 2. That I don’t even have to think about whether I can afford back-to-school clothes for my son (just a few new pieces, thank you!) 3. That I have wonderful friends right here in my own neighborhood who can deliver family movies from the library for my son when we’re stuck in the house and he’s sick on the couch. And there’s so much more!

    Love your blog, Diane…will be signing up for new posts! xo

    • Diane says

      Hi Michelle!
      Your words are so sweet and encouraging. I’m blessed that God would choose to use my circumstance and words to touch your heart too. I had a cup of cocoa this morning….it was sooo good. And though I’m not a coffee drinker….I’m sure we had the same wonderful feeling. Thanks for sharing in the giving of thanks. Our God is so good.
      May the rest of your week be Extraordinary and praying your son has a speedy recovery. 😀
      ~Diane

  2. Malinda B says

    I love your inspiration! Just what I needed. What a blessing you are. <3.

    • Diane says

      Hello Malinda!
      Isn’t God good to use us to bless each other?
      Thank you for popping by. May your week be Extraordinary!
      ~Diane

  3. Thanks for this post. I needed it today.

    I am thankful for:
    1 – posts like this that remind me to lean on God
    2 – the strength to write and tell difficult stories that strengthen myself and others
    3 – happy and healthy children
    4 – access to good health care for my husband’s bad back
    5 – food in the cupboard
    6 – kind people who teach and serve me
    7 – a knowledge of and relationship with God

    Lovely thoughts. Happy Sharefest. Have a great week.

    • Diane says

      Hi Robin! Thanks for sharing seven. How richly blessed we are.
      I’m blessed that you found encouragement here. Yay God!
      May your week be Extraordinary!!

  4. Hi Diane,
    Just stumbled across your post through SITS and I am completely inspired by it. What a beautiful outlook on life and important reminder to us all on how to be grateful each day. I look forward to reading more of your blog and consider my newest source for inspiration. Today will be a Joy Day! Thank you!

    • Diane says

      Welcome to An Extraordinary Day, Leslie!!
      I can’t tell you how much your sweet words blessed me. Thank you sooooo much!!!
      It’s so fun meeting interesting people through SITS. Thanks for coming by!
      Wishing you a day filled with countless joys!!!

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