Devotions by Deborah

Devotion 11-21-23 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; Ephesians 5:20. This is a very hard pill to swallow and a very hard lesson to learn. As long as everything is fine, it is easy to be thankful. When life becomes difficult, thanking God is difficult. But, is there a reason why life should not be difficult for you at times? Are you the exception to living life as a human being on this earth? Life is full of difficulties and we are told to be thankful in and for all situations. Therefore, we must be thankful that this present difficulty is upon us. When life is easy, we tend to depend on ourselves. Only when true hardships come do we tend to turn to God crying, "Why this?" Instead, turn to God, thanking Him for His never-leaving presence with you. Thank Him for His provision in the midst of difficulty. Thank Him for His strength, for His love, for His steadfastness in the shifting sands of life. Do you see the change? Instead of leaning on your own sufficiency, you are leaning on the sufficiency of the Everlasting God. What a change! Self-sufficiency is idolatry. God-sufficiency is praise and thanksgiving. We are to thank Him in and for everything. As we do, we grow stronger in our relationship with God. Our strength and wisdom and faith and trust and sufficiency rest in Him alone. Thank Him in and for everything as He produces a new you in the midst of difficulties!