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 welcome to the crosswalk devotional we're so glad to have you listening I'm Lynette kiddo and today's topic is thanking God when we don't feel like it we'll be right back after a brief message from our sponsor
 thanking God when we don't feel like it written and read by Lynette Kittle give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus 1st Thessalonians 5:18 what happens when we don't feel like giving thanks especially during times of rising fuel prices increasing mortgage rates food shortages job losses and more Amid and stable times God ask us to focus on him and his faithfulness instead of our circumstances he draws us to dwell on his promise to never leave or forsake us Hebrews 13:5 and to trust him to help us in every situation we face in life
 some say if they aren't really feeling thanks then it's fake and insincere to practice thankfulness but thankfulness it's not a feeling or based on what's going on in our lives but rather it's an offering to God God understands it can be difficult for us to give thanks during trying times but he wants us to be willing to be thankful even when we don't feel like it Psalm 104 Express is Scott scotus to be thankful enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise give thanks to him and praise His name his will for us is to approach him with thankfulness yet many of us misunderstand Gods directive to give thanks in all circumstances believing we're supposed to be thankful for everything when the truth is God is asking us to be thankful in everything
 do some of us struggle with this concept resisting thankfulness thanking God is telling us to be thankful for the challenges but we're missing when he's really leading us to do which is to be thankful despite the difficulties to not let black losses disappointments and hurts keep us from expressing our gratefulness to him throughout scripture God emphasizes the importance of thankfulness understanding that even if it's sacrificial on our part he is honored and glorified through it some 5023 describes its benefits those who sacrifice tank offerings honor me and to the blameless I will show my salvation
 as well Psalm 116:17 encourages sacrificial thankfulness I was sacrifice a thank offering to you and calling the name of the Lord still with our human weaknesses and frailties it may feel like God is asking too much of us especially during times of huge disappointment unbearable heartaches and tremendous losses it can seem beyond our capabilities to offer him things and it's such deep devastations if it's God's will for us to give thanks in everything how do we begin prayer is the place to start Colossians 4:2 urges us to keep Alert in our prayers with an attitude of thankfulness which involves recognizing where ungratefulness can creep into our thoughts words and even our prayers
 at times we think there's absolutely nothing we can find to be grateful for in our lives we can be thankful for Jesus Christ and his salvation we receive through him even when life seems empty we can give thanks to God for his peace presents faithfulness and comfort as Colossians 3:17 urges and whatever you do weather in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father threw him in experiencing everyday disappointments job losses natural disasters Financial stresses and more thankfulness helps us to cultivate but trust in God like Isaiah 12:2 ensures surely God is my salvation I will trust you not be afraid the Lord the Lord himself is my strength in my defense he has become my salvation
 even in situations that seem hopeless like there couldn't possibly be any good ever come from them God promises to work them together for our good and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose Romans 8:28 intersecting faith in life if you're finding thankfulness difficult to express try beginning each day by finding one reason to be thankful to God then throughout the day take time to offer thanks to him further reading 10-day thankful this challenge to prepare your heart for Thanksgiving
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