Today’s Daily Vitamin holds great promise for the day, if I can keep it! Here’s what I Thessalonians 5: 16 says: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Wow! What an ideal. I can usually manage the joy for a while, until I hear the latest news broadcast or I feel ignored or rejected by those I love. I can feel confident that I am praying continually, until I get involved in a project of my choosing rather than conscientiously praying for those I’ve promised to lift before the throne, relegating prayer time to times of convenience when I’ve done everything I’ve got on MY agenda first. I can even give thanks at mealtimes or when things are going well, but in ALL circumstances? Really? I can even know, intellectually, that all of these directives are God’s will for me, and that they will chase away the depression which is the ever-present skeleton in my closet I have to recognize often.
The Spirit really has to take over for me to live this verse. I tend to rationalize, to criticize, to complain, to find fault, and to nurse my insecurities. I have a desperate inferiority complex, always have, and although I embrace the gifts the Lord has blessed me with, I often think of my inadequacies first. Yes, I admit this and confess it.
On the other hand, in my finer moments, I share what I have with others so that I am using my gifts to His glory. Those are the times I feel fulfilled, happy, and worthy. It’s a conscious decision on my part.
So, in this day, Lord use me to your honor, for your purposes, and may I bless those with whom I come in contact, and please, Lord, accept my prayers for others’ health, provision, and comfort, and blessing in spite of the inadequacies of this servant, for I long to praise you in what I do, think, and become. Amen and Amen.
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