tablets of human hearts

Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
    Shout to God with joyful praise!
(Psalm 47:1, NLT)

Have you found things to give thanks about this month? Have you looked around and observed the precious things in life? Have you made the effort to tell someone thank you for something?

If you are, have you noticed a change in your overall attitude, a transformation in your countenance, a shift in your outlook on life.

Interestingly, these things happen when we choose joy rather than gloom.

But why would we want to do that? Aren’t some things bad enough to grumble about? I mean, if you knew the day I had, you’d understand why I have a reason to complain. If you understood my circumstances, you’d understand my sour disposition. If you really took a look at the world around us, wouldn’t you be worried, too?

True, I haven’t walked a mile in your shoes. But I have walked many miles in mine. And believe me, I’ve had my share of troubles, grumbles, sufferings, complainings, moanings and groanings. And I can testify, things didn’t get better because of it. Rather, they really seemed worse.

I needed to rethink my thinking. Maybe you do, too?

It’s been said we shouldn’t conform ourselves to the standards of this world (grumbling and complaining), but we should let God transform us inwardly by a complete change of our mind (our heart, our attitude).

Wisdom tells us “Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” (Proverbs 12:25 )

So, if I’m worrying, I’ve loaded myself down with extra weight. Who wants to walk around with extra weight? Do I want to miss the opportunities to encourage someone else? Or I miss the person who tried to encourage me?

Wisdom also tells us “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” (Proverbs 17:22)

Feeling tired lately? Could be negativity. Feeling weak? Could be a critical spirit. Let’s take a dose of the cure. A spoonful of gratitude, turning our heart from trouble to cheer.

Finally, Wisdom says, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.” (Proverbs 15:30 )

Good health sounds good to me, how about you? Do you have some good news? Share it and share it with a smile. It will not only bring you joy, but someone else as well. We can all use a little more joy.

Paul instructs us in his letter to the Philippians to “Always be full of joy in the Lord.” He goes on to say “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” He also told the Thessalonians to “Be thankful in all circumstances.”

I know, I know. It sounds quite challenging. If it was easy, well, we wouldn’t need the reminder, would we?

It really comes down to a choice. Will we choose the benefits of a thankful heart? Or the complications of a critical one?

James even tells us to “count it all joy.” Count what all joy? When the good times roll?  No, not really.  Rather he tells us to count it all joy when trouble comes. If that sounds a bit crazy, well, check it out. James makes a pretty good argument. James 1:2-8

Prayer
Heavenly Father, You abide in the praises of Your people. And where you are, that’s where I want to be. So, I’m clapping my hands. I’m shouting with joyful praise. And I’m giving thanks for the big things, the small things, and all things in between.

Grace & Peace

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.
(Psalm 41:1, NLT)

The month of November is a good month to stop and give thanks for the many blessings we have. In our culture, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements telling us about the latest thing we need and how happy we will be, how fulfilled we will be, and how great our life will be, if only we have this thing.

But things cannot satisfy. Things may entertain us or make life a little more convenient (when they work properly) for a season. But that usually only lasts until we see the next thing we need. And soon our life is filled with the clutter of things we have become slaves to.

Instead, let’s stop and be thankful for what we already have. Maybe this month, find something (or someone) every day you’re thankful for and spend some time giving God thanks for it.

Then, let’s take it a step further.

The Psalmist says a strange thing.  Joy shows up when we are kind the poor. That seems kind of weird, doesn’t it? We don’t really expect our own joy when we’re kind, do we? Sometimes being kind may seem like an inconvenience, like we don’t have the time, or the energy, or the means. But Scripture tells us we reap what we sow. If we sow kindness into someone else’s life, we reap a harvest of joy, both for the recipient and for us.

I don’t want to take away from the core of the verse – being kind to the poor. There are many in the world who do without the necessities of life. Healthy food, clean water, proper clothing or shelter, education, opportunities to provide for themselves and their families. There are so many organizations with the mission to provide these things. These organizations can be local or they can be international. Either way, I encourage you to investigate and consider supporting, participating in and assisting one that stirs your heart.

I also want to point out there are many other ways someone can be poor.
Someone may have just received devastating medical news about themselves or someone they love.
Someone may be alone, without family or friends
Someone may have a marriage falling apart
Someone may have recently lost someone they loved
Someone may be going through some difficult times emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially.
Someone may just be having a really hard day, or week, or month, or year.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we didn’t see it as inconvenience, if we realized we do have the time, and the energy, and even the means, to be kind to someone.

My church hosts an event labeled Random Acts of Kindness. It’s a day we agree to spend looking for and doing acts of kindness for others who cross our paths. A creative list of ideas is provided for the participants and they are encouraged to have fun as they look for ways to be kind to others throughout the day.

What a great way to remind ourselves to be aware of those around us and to be ready with a kind word and a kind action when a need is spotted.

Oh the joys of those who are kind to every type of poverty.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, You show great kindness towards us everyday. Your mercies are new every morning, Your compassions never fail. May we, in response, seek ways every day to show kindness to others.

Grace & Peace