When I returned from Orlando (see last week’s blog), my husband shared several verses with me from Jeremiah 17: 5-8.
“This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives. But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD Their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.”
These words caused me to reflect about the human propensity (mine included) to distrust the Lord in times of emotional drought and relational heat and turn away from the river in favor of the salty flats where there is no life. Meditating on that verse, a new thought hit me!
Trust leads me to the river, but thanksgiving plants me there!
Like me, you know with your head that you can trust God with your life, husband, family and finances, right? After all, He is GOD. God Almighty! But it’s another matter to stand in the place of trust when life comes at you like a speeding bullet bent on doing its worst.
How can you stand confident in times like these? THANKSGIVING!
Giving thanks to God will
- Satisfy you
- Protect your peace
- Yield joy
- Create fruit
- Inspire you to hold your ground
- A disagreement between my husband and I had that would have previously sidelined our unity for at least a day, was resolved in 10 minutes.
- When my husband lost a big deal (he’s in sales), we began praising God for His faithfulness even in loss, and what was once lost came back to him.
- I’ve experienced supernatural peace in an extremely difficult family situation-something that would have formerly anchored my thought-life in anxiety.
Why live your life in the wilderness–dry, crispy and brown any longer? PLANT yourself by the river, praising and thanking God for all he has, is and WILL do in your life in order to live a life of fruitfulness!
In next week’s blog, I’ll share how to praise God, even for difficulties. I’ll be giving specific examples of what that looks like. I’ll also be sharing verses every day in September on Facebook that speak of thanksgiving and it’s blessings.
Please forward this blog to friends whom you KNOW could use a breath of fresh air in their spiritual life, marriage, and relationships. When you do, you enter into ministry with me. Tell them about the difference the ministry of Beautiful Womanhood has made in your life–share your story! Together, we can grow a millions-strong coalition of beautiful women who are focused on God and fulfilled in their marriage and relationships!
PRAISE GOD!
When I’m reading the blog post it’s like the words lifts up and take residents into my heart, mind ,& soul. Since I’ve been reading the post,it has compelled me to build a more personnel and intimate relationship with our saver Jesus.
Dear Violesia,
These are the sweetest words to hear in response to this blog. A personal, intimate relationship with Jesus is the most powerful force for good on earth.
May you be blessed IN HIM continually!
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