Saying Thank You
By Devi Titus
“Be anxious for nothing but with prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made to the Lord, and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:8
Foreclosures, evictions, bailouts, we are bombarded with these terms on almost a daily basis. We read them in the newspapers and hear them constantly on television. The national economic position is enough to cause all of us to be concerned—maybe even ‘anxious.’ Yet when we are gripped with anxiety, the biblical text tells us to be thankful and to pray.
Saying “Thank You” is not just a mere courtesy—something that your Mom constantly coached you to say—but those simple two words are actually a strong force to prevent your mind from being consumed with fear—and fear destroys faith.
I was in Pasadena, CA when hundreds of homes nearby in Sylmar were consumed by an inferno of flames. The sky was pink and the mountains were invisible because of the cloud of smoke hanging in the air. My friend's elderly parents lost their home and all of their possessions in the fire. While consoling him, he replied, “We are so thankful. Mom and Dad are safe. Nothing else really matters.”
Their grateful hearts created a shield of protection around their minds. Rather than being consumed by fretful thoughts, fearing for their future, their grateful hearts gave them peace during their crisis.
“Thank you” replaces fear with faith. “Thank you” can tenderize a hardened heart. “Thank you” can turn a frown into a smile. “Thank you” holds the enemy of your soul captive. True spiritual warfare is won with a grateful heart.
Who can you say “Thank you” to today? Challenge yourself to see how many times you can say Thank You, and unlock the Peace of God to guard your heart and your mind from torment, fear, and anxiety.
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