TRIALS INTO THANKS;
PAIN INTO PRAISE!

In the world, you will have tribulation, trouble, afflictions, burdens… In Me [Jesus] you have peace. So, be cheerfully courageous because I have overcome the world.
~ Taken from John 16:33

The following is a continuation of Part 1.

Jesus overcame the world, and I am in Him, so I am an overcomer, too! Paul reiterates this truth in Romans 8:37 by declaring that we are MORE than Conquerors through Jesus!

The trials and trouble, the pain and the afflictions are subject to you in the authority of Jesus. You need not be bound by the captor who would enslave you to bitterness, sorrow, depression, confusion, anger, and more.

But how do we rise above in the face of relentless pummeling?

The Lord has given us two distinct battle strategies we can employ: one is a Defensive Stance and the other is an Offensive Attack (Coming soon in Part 3).

DEFENSIVE STANCE = GIVE THANKS

Jesus said that in Him we will have peace. He is the Prince of Peace who has overcome the world. To experience peace amid troubles, trials, and tribulations, give THANKS! I can’t explain how it works, but it’s a miracle. Watch this:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7

When life goes sideways (and Jesus promises it will) continue talking with your Heavenly Father. Entreat Him, ask Him, petition Him from a place of THANKSGIVING! Attitudes and words of thanks stop the enemy’s artillery like a forcefield! Jesus’ resulting peace is the guard. The defense of your heart and mind! The heart and the head are the most vital organs to protect. Jesus has that covered with His peace through THANKFULLNESS!

Would you like to see your strength and courage supercharged? GIVE THANKS!

Confusion is one of the enemy’s most effective strategies. Doubt, fear, threat, and chaos make for confusion. Thanksgiving diffuses confusion’s power.

“…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When you are bewildered and can’t tell up from down, when you have decisions to make, but the deciding factors are uncertain, set your mind on THANKSGIVING! It is the starting point. It is the very first thing you can be sure is the WILL of GOD for YOU! Abide in that climate. Posture your HEART and MIND in thanksgiving, the next step will be clear. You will KNOW WHAT to PRAY in the WILL of GOD. You will gain discernment, wisdom, and courage to face the threat.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” ~ Romans 12:2

One of the fastest ways we conform (or fashion ourselves) to the world is by responding to trouble outside of Jesus. Maybe we can handle it on our own. Or we believe God’s not listening or caring. Or maybe, we are at relational odds with God. Our response precludes running to Heavenly Father in thanksgiving. And, denying that we “have the mind of Christ”. The unguarded heart and mind will manage the trouble just like the world does.

Do you want to “prove”, discern, and recognize the GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, and PERFECT will of God? It comes from the renewing of your mind. It means renovating your mind. The renovating transformation occurs “in Jesus” via conversation, communion, and intimacy enveloped in THANKSGIVING!

Satan is the least grateful being! He grumbles and complains. He is entitled. He is jealous. His weapons are designed to make you have similar feelings. He has crafted the world’s methods of coping. He wants you to be conformed to his misery. Bur, when you give thanks, you do not imitate him. You imitate Jesus.

Jesus thanked the Father in the face of rejection. “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes.” ~ Luke 10:21

Jesus gave thanks in the middle of a provisional crisis! There were over 4,000 people to feed and only seven loaves of bread and a few fish. “And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks…” ~ Matthew 15:36

Jesus gave thanks when facing the impossible. His best friend had died. Everyone was in sorrow and mourning. Mary was disappointed in Jesus for not coming earlier. Before Jesus proclaimed His command to Lazarus, He gave thanks, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me…” ~ John 11:41-42

And I want to pause right here. Jesus sent His disciples (you and me) as the Heavenly Father sent Jesus. Jesus had confidence the Father ALWAYS heard Him. So why couldn’t you be confident that He ALWAYS hears you too?

Jesus gave thanks while his best friend was betraying Him and as He entered the path to the cross. “…the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks…” ~ 1 Corinthians 11:23

Jesus knew the power of THANKFULNESS!

Giving thanks turns Satan’s weapons on his own head. Satan’s design is to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came to bring abundant life. In Him is life. And we are in Him. ALL THINGS work together for good… to conform us to Christ’s likeness! It’s like a faucet without a valve. The water gushes forth freely. Whatever is thrown at us by dark spiritual forces or the evil of humankind, the life of Christ gushes forth, shaping and conforming into His likeness.

I thank, you Father, during this loss, tragedy, and trial. While Satan means it for evil exploiting circumstances and people, you mean it for good. Amid it all, you will reveal yourself and empower me to become more like you in character and deed.

And isn’t that what happened in the fiery furnace? God’s presence showed up in the middle of the fire with three young men who refused to bow to another god. Will you bow to the gods of bitterness, murmuring, complaining, hating, etc.?

This is what Peter is talking about, “…but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” ~ 1 Peter 4:12-14

Would you like to see your strength and courage supercharged? GIVE THANKS! REJOICE! He will manifest His presence to you and the Spirit of His GLORY will REST UPON YOU! Remember when the glory of God filled the tabernacle? When you are in the middle of trouble and thankfulness is flowing from your heart, God’s glory comes over you and He is manifest! This fact is demonstrated in Stephen when he was being judged before the Jewish council just before his execution.

“And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.” ~ Acts 6:15

“Do ALL things without complaining [grumbling, murmuring] and disputing [debate, doubtful reasoning], that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…” ~ Philippians 2:14-16

Grumbling and complaining is not becoming to a believer! Your life is meant to manifest a heavenly solution so the world can see Jesus as you SHINE as lights holding the word of LIFE! Thankfulness is what looks becoming on you!

Joseph suffered years of injustices caused by his brothers’ jealousy. When they finally reconciled years later, Joseph said to his brothers, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good… to save many people alive.” ~ Genesis 50:20.

Instead of years of bitterness and intent on revenge, Joseph’s thankful stance allowed him to see God’s redemption in the tragedies aimed at destroying his life. He recognized how the lives of many others were saved through his alignment with God’s will. And he could extend forgiveness, responding to his brothers graciously and mercifully. Thankfulness opens our eyes, aligns our perspective with Jesus, and gives wisdom in our actions toward others.

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” ~ Colossians 2:6-7

More than a CONQUEROR! Abounding with THANKSGIVING! GO YOU!

Get in your defensive stance: GIVE THANKS!

Gratitude by New Heights Worship

“Give Thanks”