UNHURRY HACK: It’s hard to grumble and give thanks to God at the same time.
FIRST READ: Colossians 3
Featured passage: Colossians 3:15-17 (ESV)
verse 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
verse 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
verse 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Don't rush those verses...linger with me here in the life-giving words of this passage:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...be thankful
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...with thankfulness in your heart
Let all you do be done in the name of Jesus...giving thanks to God
Thankfulness spills over and fills out our attitudes and actions when let Jesus be the center of our life. But sometimes the "letting" part is hard to do! In our fast-paced world today hurry often rules, distraction dwells, and we end up doing everything in the name of rushing to the next task. Oh that we would set our minds on the things above instead as it says in Colossians 3:3. Unhurry my heart Lord to dwell in your purpose and presence today Jesus.
It’s hard to grumble and give thanks to God at the same time. There is something about thankfulness that changes our perspective and lifts our spirit. When we trust God and are grateful and appreciative of His ways - His character - and His promises, then thankfulness becomes the lens through which we view our world.
Wise King Solomon said in Proverbs 12:22 that “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” The Message, by Eugene Peterson says it like this, “A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired” (Proverbs 12:22 MSG).
Isn’t that so true? It only takes one look around our fast pace society to see the toll that stress, worry, anxiety, and constant striving takes on our bodies. In addition, we are plagued with information overload, a constant demand for our immediate attention, and an endless to-do list. People today are exhausted more now than ever! Getting to know God leaves us awestruck and overwhelmed with love instead! Daily, our mind, body, and spirit needs to focus on what God says for us.
OUR PERSPECTIVE MATTERS:
When we are focused on difficult circumstances or on the hustle and bustle of daily life, our perspective quickly shifts downward and we begin to wear down. In this state, it doesn’t take long to feel all dried up and bone-tired. We are wise to take Solomon’s advice and live with a joyful heart. And, thankfulness is a great way to put our eyes back on the joy of Christ in our life. But how?
The best way to rehydrate our heart daily is with the Living Water of Jesus Christ. Do you spend time drinking from this well daily? Our bodies needs to drink water and daily our hearts needs to drink in God's Word. In both cases, when we don't our bodies begin to feel more and more thirsty.
When we read our Bible we aren't just studying a book, we are getting to know God. The Bible is helpful, instructive, protective, nourishing, directing, comforting, encouraging, guiding...just to name a few!
Billy Graham once said, "The very practice of reading [The Bible] will have a purifying effect upon your mind and heart. Let nothing take place of this daily exercise."
I agree! When we make time to read the Bible, the Living Word of God literally hydrates and nourishes us. When we spend time just being still and enjoying time with God, His peace washes over us which leads to praise and thankfulness. Do you let the peace of Christ rule in your heart? Or do you let the stress of life call the shots for the day?
"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7
WHAT IF WE LIVED OUT THANKFULNESS EACH DAY?
We are called in the body of Christ to live representative of Him. What if we lived out thankfulness each day? What if our words and conversation were rich in thoughtfulness and encouragement? What if we spoke with the wisdom and hope of Jesus? What a powerful body we would be in a dark world. As Solomon reminds us, gloom and doom has always been around, and the world still searches for hope.
When we choose to focus on God rather than grumble, we offer hope to the world around us, not to mention the good medicine that joy brings to our own heart and well-being.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT)
Are you worn down today? Drink in His Word. Sing praises. Tell God what you are thankful for. When the peace of Christ rules in our heart, every detail of what we do in word or action begins to overflow with God’s love and joy, because rather than circumstances, our joy is found in Jesus Christ. As we build our life on Him, our praise and thankfulness will overflow.
Will your attitude speak a message of Jesus today? Will you choose to live out thankfulness?
JOIN ME IN PRAYER TODAY:
Dear Lord, You are worthy of all praise and glory. Thank you for loving me and for dying on the cross for my sins. Teach me to have a thankful heart and to be rooted in You alone. Remind me of Your Word and Your goodness, Your creation, Your promises and Your blessings. May this be my attitude today and every day. In Jesus Name, Amen.