My, Devotion to Him #273
Verse Passage: Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – NIV
As a kid, I used to think that this verse was saying to give thanks for everything, and I was so uncomfortable with that thought. Why would I give thanks for some of the things that happened that were unfair or that hurt?
Thankfully, that’s not what this verse is telling us to do, but at times it is almost as difficult. We are to actually live in a state of thanksgiving, living out gratitude to the One who provides for us. Thanksgiving is a practice we use to focus on what God has done for us and to thank Him for it. Gratitude is a characteristic we develop the more we practice thanksgiving. Living in a state of readiness to show thanksgiving or appreciation and to return the kindness given.
Jesus wants us to find the peace that He often talks about. This is the peace only He can give (John 14:27).
John gives us a way to obtain such peace. We need to come to Jesus in prayer, offering up our requests, but also offering up our gratitude. Just as it is difficult to be upset when you are smiling, it is hard to be without peace when you are surrendered to God and made aware of His constant presence in gratitude.
When we get into a state of thanksgiving we find ourselves in a state of peace. These two states are intertwined together. If we do not have one we will not have the other. We cannot be ungrateful people with peace nor can we be grateful people without peace.
Give up thanksgiving to God in who He is, all that He has done, the people in our life, what we have, and the life we have.
God bless.
Copyright © 2021 by Jacob Olinger
Spirit Warrior Ministry 