So, yesterday I was in a pit. But today, I am choosing to be thank-full instead of pity-full. With each thing I verbalize my thankfulness for, it is like a stepping stone out of the pit.
Interestingly enough, there is always a Bible character that you can read about who found themselves in the pit as well. I mean, God's people have a tendency to be pit dwellers. But, the beautiful thing about the Bible stories is God always shows the way out.
In Daniel 6:10, Daniel had just learned that if anyone was caught praying to anyone else besides King Darius, then they would be thrown into the Lion's Den. That's a serious pit! But Daniel's reaction is amazing.
He went home, threw his windows open, and prayed anyway. I'm not thinking he did this because he felt good. I'm imagining he felt like anyone would feel if their life was in danger. But he rose above his feelings to make a choice.
And do you know what he chose to pray?
"God, save me"? No.
"God, it's not fair"? No.
"God, this is too much"? No.
"God, help me face this with courage"? No.
"God, smite my enemies and wipe them out"? No.
What Daniel prayed is a powerful lesson for me.
Daniel prayed, "Thank you God." That's right the Bible said Danial prayed prayers of Thanksgiving just as he had done before.
What this teaches me is three things. First, that Daniel had a habit of being thankful therefore, God -who God is and what God provides- was front and center in Daniel's heart.
Secondly, being a thankful person helped Daniel combat fear and feelings of being overwhelmed. Never once does the story mention Daniel trying to hide. He threw his windows open and made sure people saw him praying! Daniel knew that if God saved him from the lions, he would be okay. Daniel also had peace that if God did not save him from the lions, he would be in heaven with God and therefore okay.
Lastly, Daniel's unwavering faith in God, made a lasting impression on others. At the end of Daniel's lion den experience, King Darius says in verse 26 that Daniel's God, our God, is the living God who endures forever!"
God, I know it is normal for us to sometimes find ourselves in a pit. But we don't have to stay there. Thank you for providing your timeless truths that prove to us over and over again, how powerfully capable You always are.
So, I'm off on the ten hour drive to my mom's with a new attitude. Prayers of Thanksgiving won't just be said over my turkey dinner this year. They will be prayed all throughout my journey!
May it be so for you as well. Have a Thank-FULL Thanksgiving! Comment below what you are most thankful for today.
And for those of you coming to Southbrook Church this weekend, I'll be there speaking all 4 services. Can't wait to see you!
Interestingly enough, there is always a Bible character that you can read about who found themselves in the pit as well. I mean, God's people have a tendency to be pit dwellers. But, the beautiful thing about the Bible stories is God always shows the way out.
In Daniel 6:10, Daniel had just learned that if anyone was caught praying to anyone else besides King Darius, then they would be thrown into the Lion's Den. That's a serious pit! But Daniel's reaction is amazing.
He went home, threw his windows open, and prayed anyway. I'm not thinking he did this because he felt good. I'm imagining he felt like anyone would feel if their life was in danger. But he rose above his feelings to make a choice.
And do you know what he chose to pray?
"God, save me"? No.
"God, it's not fair"? No.
"God, this is too much"? No.
"God, help me face this with courage"? No.
"God, smite my enemies and wipe them out"? No.
What Daniel prayed is a powerful lesson for me.
Daniel prayed, "Thank you God." That's right the Bible said Danial prayed prayers of Thanksgiving just as he had done before.
What this teaches me is three things. First, that Daniel had a habit of being thankful therefore, God -who God is and what God provides- was front and center in Daniel's heart.
Secondly, being a thankful person helped Daniel combat fear and feelings of being overwhelmed. Never once does the story mention Daniel trying to hide. He threw his windows open and made sure people saw him praying! Daniel knew that if God saved him from the lions, he would be okay. Daniel also had peace that if God did not save him from the lions, he would be in heaven with God and therefore okay.
Lastly, Daniel's unwavering faith in God, made a lasting impression on others. At the end of Daniel's lion den experience, King Darius says in verse 26 that Daniel's God, our God, is the living God who endures forever!"
God, I know it is normal for us to sometimes find ourselves in a pit. But we don't have to stay there. Thank you for providing your timeless truths that prove to us over and over again, how powerfully capable You always are.
So, I'm off on the ten hour drive to my mom's with a new attitude. Prayers of Thanksgiving won't just be said over my turkey dinner this year. They will be prayed all throughout my journey!
May it be so for you as well. Have a Thank-FULL Thanksgiving! Comment below what you are most thankful for today.
And for those of you coming to Southbrook Church this weekend, I'll be there speaking all 4 services. Can't wait to see you!
9 Comments:
I am thankful for a loving husband, the blessing of children, and the decision to be a stay at home mom.
Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving... you are inspiring!
What a fantastic post! Loved it my friend!
I wish I could be there to hear you speak. We are in Cleveland visiting family...and I am very thankful for that!
Hi Lysa,
Thanks for your comments these last few days. Have rally appreciated them. I am new to your blog spot but discovered Proverbs31 a couple of years ago.
As a mum of 4, doing endless chores and school runs, being married to a Church of England vicar in England and being in ministry myself I am totally committed to honesty about our walk with Jesus.
I really believe we must tell it as it is... people are drawn to Jesus when we are real about life and about God's faithfulness in the good and bad.
SO, thank you dear sister for your honesty and integrity.
And now....yet more laundry!!!
Hope thanksgiving is wonderful.
Shalom,
Rachel.
Thank you, Lysa, for the comment on my blog and the inspiration you give on your own. My email address is valerie@thestranathans.com. I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving and a safe drive!
I am thankful for my wonderful husband, my son who occasionally makes me crazy and usually makes me laugh, and my baby girl, 11 weeks old today! All wonderful gifts from God. I could mention all the youth in the youth group I volunteer in, my job at a crisis pregnancy center, my wonderful church family, my best friend...but then I will just realize that I really am blessed in abundance and loved beyond reason! Happy Thanksgiving Lysa!
I am thankful that I am a child of the old path - and having said that for the Godly parents that raised me and taught me the way that was right.
This is shared from an email that I recieved today:
THE OLD PATHS
I liked the old paths, when
Moms were at home.
Dads were at work.
Brothers went into the army.
And sisters got married BEFORE having children!
Crime did not pay;
Hard work did;
And people knew the difference.
Moms could cook;
Dads would work;
Children would behave.
Husbands were loving;
Wives were supportive;
And children were polite.
Women wore the jewelry;
And Men wore the pants.
Women looked like ladies;
Men looked like gentlemen;
And children looked decent.
People loved the truth,
And hated a lie;
They came to church to get IN,
Not to get OUT!
Hymns sounded Godly;
Sermons sounded helpful;
Rejoicing so unded normal;
And crying sounded sincere.
Cursing was wicked;
Drugs were for illness;
And divorce was unthinkable.
The flag was honored;
America was beautiful;
And God was welcome!
We read the Bible in public;
Prayed in school;
And preached from house to house
To be called an American was worth dying for;
To be called a Christian was worth living for;
To be called a traitor was a shame!
Preachers preached because they had a message;
And Christians rejoiced because they had the VICTORY!
Preachers preached from the Bible;
Singers sang from the heart;
And sinners turned to the Lord to be SAVED!
A new birth meant a new life;
Salvation meant a changed life;
Following Christ led to eternal life.
Being a preacher meant you proclaimed the word of God;
Being a deacon meant you would serve the Lord;
Being a Christian meant you would live for Jesus;
And being a sinner meant someone was praying for you!
Laws were based on the Bible;
Homes read the Bible;
And churches taught the Bible.
God was worshiped;
Christ was exalted;
And the Holy Spirit was respected..
Church was where you found Christians on the Lord's day, rather than in the garden,
on the creek bank, on the golf course, Or being entertained somewhere else.
I still like the old paths the best!
Janet Reno
jjreno@localnet.com
I am thankful for Jesus.
Ok, so I did need the kleenex. This hits particularly close to home having just completed a year of recovery after brain surgery - minus the tumor part. Praise God I am in good health. My faith is being grown in ways you cannot imagine, and still I know that it has been the most horrible year for my husband having to do so much with so little in return. Even a lack of love at times because my self centeredness grew to new proportions through this struggle. So, now I have lots more of myself. I am about giving away myself this year. My gift to my husband this year for the whole year from now til next Christmas will be to make sure he knows he is loved and appreciated.
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