In his closing letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul gives the new believers three things to focus their lives on: unbounded joy, continual prayer and the practice of gratitude no matter what was happening in their lives. He writes, “Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (TPT)
There is something powerful that happens in your life when you make daily gratitude your go to. Instead of focusing on what is going wrong, you ask Jesus to open your eyes to all that He is doing in you and in the world around you. He is working all the time. Drink it in and fill your soul with thanksgiving. This daily practice alone takes continual prayer and communion with Jesus the very center of your life.
I don’t know about you but I need supernatural power to draw my eyes away from all the things that I can criticize, judge or overanalyze. Instead, I ask God to fill my soul with all the things I am thankful for and with this my capacity for unbounded joy expands.
The practice of thanksgiving to God creates space in our soul for deep joy, sincere gratefulness and awe-inspiring wonder. My friend, there is a difference between enduring your life and embracing it. My prayer for you today is that the incredible power of Jesus be your continual soul feast today.