Colossians 3:15-16 ERV-“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body.  And always be thankful. Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Have you ever been in a position where you felt that if one more thing went wrong you’d go under? Ever wonder where your next meal was coming from, how the gas in your tank would be enough to last till payday? Just when you thought you might just make it till payday, one of the kids gets sick and you have to take them to the emergency room and they want $75 for the copay and you don’t have it, nor do you have money to get any of the 6 prescriptions they hand you at the end. Thats when the first part of this scripture comes into play; “Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking.” There’s nothing you can do about it but close your eyes and say, “Father, my provider, I know that you are faithful to take care of all this. There is nothing too difficult for you. I’m going to allow your peace to wash over me and keep my mind from all this turmoil. You have this, Father.”

Then the 2nd part of that verse must happen. Be thankful! ‘Say what? Whats there to be thankful for! I just told you I don’t have any money, my kids are sick and I don’t have enough gas to get to work! What’s THAT going to do for me?’ Well, I didn’t say it would make sense, he just said to do it.  Being thankful is more than words, but saying the words can change the heart. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at it this way; are things going to change because you’re ungrateful, angry, yelling and taking it out on everyone around you? So why not change the way you’ve always done it and give this a try.

Father, I thank you that I HAVE a job, a home and food on my table. Even when things are tight and I feel like I can’t hold my head above water, I can reach up and your hand holds me. It may look like I don’t have enough gas in my tank to get to work, but you can make sure it lasts me. It may look like I have no money for those prescriptions, but you can make them free. It may look like I don’t have enough food on my table, but you can show me how to make it stretch a few more days. Thank you. Your hand has always provided for me and you always will. I’m so thankful that I don’t have to live life alone; You are always with me. When I don’t know what to do, I lift up my head and there you are with the answer. Your peace overwhelms me. Your love sustains me. The very breath you breathe on me gives me new life, daily, every time I need it. I’m thankful! Thankful for your Word, the letters you left for me read that causes me to know you more. Thank you.