"Giving thanks always for all things unto God
and the Father in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ"
Ephesians 5:20
  

Keeping A Thankful Heart

     This verse entered my heart today as I thought of the not-so-good week that I have endured and how I have failed to give thanks to God in a way that is properly due Him.
If we are grateful, we should say so! Thanksgiving is only half said until we have done something to show our thankfulness. Even done so in prayer! Gratitude is what always spoils life when it is left out. A thankful Spirit enables us to praise God even when circumstances are difficult.

     If someone gave me a bowl of sugar and told me that there were particles of iron in it, I would probably go through it and feel for them with my fingers. Most likely they would go undetected with my clumsy fingers. But if I were to take a magnet and sweep through the sugar, it would draw to itself the most invisible particles. Our hearts work in this same way. The unthankful heart, like my fingers in the sugar bowl, discovers no mercies. But let the thankful heart sweep through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so will the heart find some heavenly blessings.

     Today I have reminded myself that when I feel down and don't feel the thankfulness that I should, I need to take heart, for in all things God works for my good if I love Him. I thank God not for my problems, but for the strength He is building within me each day during my difficult times, with the avenues He provides to get through them. My mind and my heart know that His perfect love will see me through.

For God is GOOD!