Thank God for EVERYTHING!
The Bible tells us that Christians have been given gifts, also known as gifts of the Spirit. I believe mine is faith. The gift of faith is being able to trust God no matter the circumstances. I really want to encourage all of you to do the same. I have a small prayer taped to my computer screen that says … “pray that believers will be able to stand firm in their faith despite the difficulties they face.” I know that it may not always be easy, but I also know that you should always thank God for everything. “Everything” is the important part here.
Some of my examples:
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In 1996 my husband Jerry and I were buying my Grandmothers old house. Only, it burned down the day we were going to sign the papers. Sad. Very sad. Anyway, when Jerry called to tell me about the fire, I simply said “I wonder what God’s got in store for us next?” My point? God promises to take the bad things that satan throws at you and turn them into good.
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Jumping ahead in time, we’ll go to our most recent challenge. We bought an old rundown house and fixed it up. Lived there 2 years, rented it for 3 years, sold it contract for deed. Jerry talked the young couple into trying for a bank loan to pay off the cfd. We gave them a great reference, they got the loan and bought a different house. Yep, you read that right. OW. So, middle of winter, empty house, not good. We sold it again CFD, and finally got that couple out about 5 months later. Never did get any money out of them, long story, but … Between the two couples, one of them cut a major ceiling beam. We now had a house we still owed money on, and it was trashed. With much input from friends, church members, and professionals, we realized the only solution was to tear it down and rebuild. Now I’m living in a 2 bedroom with a loft, custom built for us. (Lots more on this story but that will have to be another blog. Any questions let us know.) When we got it back after the second sale, I said “God must really want us here.” The first morning we slept there, Jerry said to me “It sure is nice waking up in a house that God built” My point? God promises to take the bad things that satan throws at you and turn them into good.
There are a lot more examples, and someday, I’ll add them. Until then, know this: we have learned that when something bad happens, THANK GOD immediately. Hard to do? Nope. Hard not to. Force yourself if you have to, but thank Him. Repeatedly if you have to, until you mean it. Thank Him. I believe, that God promises to take the bad things that satan throws at you and turn them into good. Thank Him!
Seems to me that Satan is always trying something. Makes me know that something bigger and better is coming.
“Did you thank God yet?”
