What an incredible line to write on our hearts. “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” We can depend on this. All we have comes from our heavenly Father. We have all the reason to be thankful and grateful. Each breath we breathe is a good and perfect gift. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He never changes. He is constant. (Malachi 3:6) For this we can give thanks for the certainty that we all seek. This certainty is that we are taken care of. We must trust and depend on Him for our understanding and not the world. Giving thanks to Him for everything fortifies our trust and dependence that we are provided for.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17 NIV
We must be conscious and cautious to not overindulge in anything in this world. The only thing that is wise and good to indulge in is the Spirit of God. We should crave it. We do this by sharing the heart of God with everyone that comes into our lives. Of course, this does not mean that we overwhelm each other, but rather we let the Spirit fill us and let our lives be the reflection of God. Anything that we indulge in will become what we reflect. Giving thanks to God for the smallest and most, seemingly, insignificant things is how we begin to indulge in Him. It is easy to give thanks when big and wondrous things happen. It is giving thanks for waking up each morning or being able to smile at our loved ones that makes our life that reflection that God wants for us.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:18-20 NIV
A Story of Giving Thanks for the Small Things:
The other day I found myself looking up, with tears in my eyes, thanking God for all that surrounded me. My husband, my children, our home, and the peace I felt. This happens to me all the time now. I can be at home or in the middle of the grocery store. I just want to thank Him all the time and in all the most random times.
I have definitely not always been like this. I used to be super inconsistent with my prayer life. I probably only reached out to God when I needed something or I was in pain. I didn’t have consistent peace in my life either. I believed, but I did not practice what I believed with gratitude that covered my life.
When I began to commit my life to a daily practice of meeting with God and getting to know Him it all changed. I started to see Him and hear Him everywhere. I am addicted to indulging in His Spirit now. The peace and joy that fills my life I never want to give up.
- Anonymous
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences. We'd love to hear a story about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
Considerations for your planner:
- What do you consider a gift from God? Write it down and consider something even smaller that is a gift.
- What tempts you to overindulge in the world? Write down why this indulgence is so alluring and see if you can shift your desire for indulgence in the worldly thing to God.
