Red Lip Society

Have you ever read something in the Bible that just challenged you?

When I first dedicated my life to the Lord, I was devouring scripture.  My Pastor had said, “Read the Bible and do what it says.”  I thought, “I can do that!”

One day I read in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

At this time, I was so thankful to be in a different place in life, however, I was still feeling down in the doldrums about where my life now was.  So, when I read this verse I was challenged to have a thankful spirit.  I mean, if that was the will of God for me, then by golly that’s what I was going to be.

So I did what any normal mid-twenty-something would have done ten years ago: I took it to Facebook.

Every day, the first thing I would do in the morning would be to post all the things I was thankful for that day on Facebook.  I started this sometime in late September and I continued it through most of December.  This was a time before everyone got on Facebook and posted #thankful every day in November.

I can’t help but wonder sometimes, did I start a whole Facebook movement?

At first, it wasn’t easy……finding things to be thankful for every day.  However, it got easier.  I started seeing God’s love for me in the smallest of things: time with my family, the leaves falling outside, the smell of my mom making breakfast, laughing with my sister, watching the dogs play in the leaves.

I love this time of year when these posts pop up in my Facebook “memories” every day.  It makes me smile to see some of the things I was thankful for then and to know where I am in life now.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 

1 Chronicles 16:34

God has brought me out of so much darkness and bondage.  I almost feel like I need a different word besides thankful to describe what I feel.

However, life is not perfect!  I mean, don’t get me wrong.  Most days I would have trouble telling you about something in my life that is not good.  I just happen to be living on the mountain right now, but there have been many times when I have been in the valley not knowing how I was going to climb out.

Just because you decide to live for the Lord doesn’t mean that everything is automatically perfect and you never struggle with anything ever again.  This time two years ago, I could have told you about some heavy things that were pressing me down.  This time a year ago, those things were either a little lighter or I got a little stronger.

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.

Hebrews 12:28

I have found that living with a thankful spirit gives me comfort.  It gives me peace.  It gives me the strength to get through hard times because focusing on the good things in my life helps me to know that bad times will either get a little easier or they won’t last forever.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

Some people don’t understand that attitude.  They don’t understand how you can be in this terrible place in life and still have a thankful or even positive attitude about it all.  The things of God are not always easily understood.  They are rarely understood by people that don’t believe in Him in the first place.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

So here we are in the midst of the Holiday Season, but maybe the season you are in may be tough.  Maybe you have lost a job.  Maybe you have lost your home.  Maybe you have lost a loved one.  Whatever season you are in today, I encourage you to make a list of things for which you are thankful.  You don’t have to share that list with anyone!  Just get up every day and make it for yourself.  Keep making it!  Keep making it until you find yourself walking in that mindset.  It changed my world!!!

My anxiety levels dropped significantly.  My moods stayed more level.  I began to notice that I wasn’t dealing with bouts of depression like I had before!  It was amazing how my whole perspective on life changed.  Do cruddy things still happen?  Sure.  Do I have bad moments or whole bad days or weeks?  Sure!  Who doesn’t?!  But it is how I deal with them that is the difference.

I now recognize that there is something to be thankful for in my life everywhere I am willing to look.

Today, I am thankful for: my job, the load of laundry that I will need to fold when I get home, my husband (who is texting me right now because he can’t make the computer work,) my church family, and the crisp wintry-in-November air outside.

What are you thankful for today?