Devotionals

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“Thanks, but no, thanks.” That’s a response given when someone can choose not to accept a gift. But – what about the things we are given over which we never had a choice? Where we were born – our biological family members – our physical appearance. We may not perceive them as gifts or feel grateful for them, yet the bottom line of contentment in life is gratitude for whatever we have. True thanksgiving comes from a heart of contentment. It is in wanting what we have rather than in having what we don’t.
Paul says in Philippians 4:12b that he has “learned the secret of being content in any and every situation”. (my emphasis) How? By the power of Christ in him he shares in verse 13, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.”
To encourage us he states a wonderful promise in verse 19, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” What do we need? As followers we need to be like Him – to choose in loving obedience to do the will of God by accepting whatever circumstance and thanking Him for it.
We may never feel gratitude for things we cannot change, but we can thank God in faithful assurance that He will use them for His good purposes and His glory – the fulfillment of His promise in Romans 8:28-29 that He is working everything to conform us to the image of Christ.
Therefore, let us say, no matter what, “Thanks, and yes, thanks!”

Submitted by Sandra Fischer, Faithwriters Platinum member
Sandra is a longtime Faithwriters member who is retired and lives in South Carolina. She enjoys writing inspirational stories to encourage others.

http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id=1729

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