Feel Better : Read This

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Bible commands us to: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.God’s first and foremost desire for us is to give thanks. Science has discovered that gratitude (giving thanks) is the healthiest human emotion. When you give thanks you will feel better! We are to give thanks in everything but we do not give God thanks for everything. We can always give thanks for all God has done for us, no matter what our circumstances are.  Ephesians 5:20 says, "Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything…"

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Paul penned these words to give thanks for (in) everything while in prison. Paul spent three years under house arrest and two and half years in prison on false accusations. Paul slept on a cold, hard, stone floor in a prison with iron chains cutting into his wrists and legs; knowing he could be executed. He experienced brutal treatment: five times he received thirty nine stripes, three times he was beaten with rods, once was stoned, thrice suffered shipwreck for a night and a day in the sea. Paul had every right to complain but instead he gave thanks. Paul learned how to give thanks in every situation, in adversity, and in ease. Even in the most tragic circumstances, Paul did not complain instead he endured hardship with thanksgiving.Paul is considered the second most important Christian leader next to Jesus. He started over twelve churches, authored thirteen books of the Bible, and is best known for the signs and wonders following his preaching. Many miracles were performed by God through Paul: He made a sorcerer go temporarily blind, He healed a man who had been lame since birth, He cast out a demonic spirit, He raised a young man from the dead and many more supernatural acts. Paul is one the greatest examples of a person of who gave thanks. Paul was always giving thanks in everything - no matter the circumstances he faced. Giving thanks changed his life and made him joyful in every situation. One of the greatest marks of a Christian is joy.

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James 1:2-3 encourages us to: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.We know times of suffering profits us in three ways:

1. Suffering and pain builds our character, we grow and become stronger. The Bible tells us Jesus matured by the things He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)

2. Difficulties bring us closer to God.

3. Hardships make us more thankful and appreciative for what we have.

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We take most of life for granted. We forget to thank God for all the blessings He has given us. If you have money in a spare dish at home or in the bank, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy. If you woke up this morning healthy, not fighting a major disease, you are blessed. (One million people will not survive this week because of illness.) If you attend church and have no fear of being arrested, tortured, or put to death for your faith in Jesus, you are more fortunate than three billion people in the world who face an onslaught of persecution for Christ. If you have never experienced the agony of imprisonment, starvation and horrid of war then you are more blessed then 500 million in the world. If you have a place to sleep, clothes to wear and a refrigerator with food to eat you are more prosperous than 75% of the world. Regardless of what’s happening in our lives, we can thank God for his goodness. We can thank God, He is working good in our situation and sustaining us through it!

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Two Steps to Feel Better about Yourself! Powerful

Step One: Take 15 minutes thanking God and you will feel better- I promise!

• Corinthians 1:4 I give thanks to my God always

  1. Psalm 34:1 I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I sing praise to you…

  2. Psalm 138: 1 I will give thanks to the Lord…

Everything good in your life is from God. Pray and thank God for the good things He has given you. You can say:

1. My closet is full of clothes & shoes.

   1. I have a fulfilling career.

   2. I have amazing talents, skills & dreams.

   3. I have or I am getting the best education.

   4. I have a home filled with things I treasures.

   5. I have a reliable car.

   6. I have an outstanding family.

   7. I have caring friends in my group.

   8. I have been blessed with finances.

   9. I belong to a loving, life changing church with caring pastors.

   10. God has a well-planned future for me.

   11. I have my health, the ability to exercise, and I know how to eat well.

   12. I can travel and explore new places.

Step Two: Take one hour and show GRATITUDE and you will feel better - I promise!

GET UP AND GO! Go out and make someone else’s life better. Here is a list of the four things I do each week to cheer me up: 

• Ps 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness.

1. Serve in a ministry in your church on Sundays, then purposely be loving and encouraging to others. Have the attitude, "I have come to give."

   1. Build strong relationships in you Friends Groups at your church – investing your time in others and upgrade their lives by showing them value and appreciation.

   2. Give generously to the church and be happy to give your finances because God loves a cheerful giver. One of the funniest things my husband and I do when we feel bad is get out our phones and give money to our church. We always feel better! Try It! God will repay you! The devil hates a giver.

   3. Invite people to church. This was the last command Jesus gave us before leaving the earth, "Go and make disciples." It make us feel better when we obey God and do His will. Take a touch card and pray/ask God, " Who can I invite? Who is lonely, hurting and far from God?" Inviting people is the best adventure…it will get your heart racing. You Can Make Your Life Better!

I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, WHICH ONE OF THESE FOUR STEPS HAVE YOU GIVEN TO OTHERS TO BLESS THEM? DID IT CHEER YOU UP OR MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER?

Tami McKinney