resilience | lent devotions

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV

A friend’s father died. He invited his mother to stay at his home that night and the following morning took her breakfast in bed. He found her with a bible in one hand and a box of tissues in the other. She was crying hard, but also thanking God for the life of her husband and praising the Lord with her whole heart for the love they had shared.

I am convinced there is something about having a grateful heart that opens our ability to hear and receive from God. It is not that he won’t speak unless we thank him, nor is he reluctant to give us good gifts. Being grateful changes us. It reduces any distance we have established between us and God, it increases our ability to see what he has given us and understand the blessing we are living in. Most importantly, it acknowledges who he is.

To develop resilience we need to train ourselves to look up often. By this, I mean we must give perspective to what we’re seeing in the world and our own circumstances by reminding ourselves who it is who loves us, protects us and fights for us. Look up. What do you see? Isn’t he worth praising?

Let’s pray
Thank you lord, that thanksgiving and prayer brings me closer to you and your purposes. I am grateful I can access your throne room at any time and you always welcome me. Teach me to look up often and remember you are my God. I give you thanks. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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