“Always [be] full of the joy of the Lord, and always thankful.” Colossians 1:11-12 Living Bible
“Attitude is everything – changing anything and anyone – and it’s always your choice!”
My thoughts today are about “joy and thankfulness.”
Life is not perfect, and every moment is not filled only with wonderful things. But life changes dramatically, and for the better, when you realize that your circumstances do not determine your experience of life, your attitude does! I have known people who have faced more struggles and disappointments than most, but who have found grace for an attitude that reflects who they are, instead of what has happened to them. I have met others who have a comparably easy life with few challenges of consequence, and yet they find little for which to be joyful or thankful.
Every once in a while it is good to ask yourself, “Does my life reflect to others what is going on around me, or what is really true inside me?” That significant difference results from the choices you make. Since a child, I have loved dramatic Bible stories like: Samson finally triumphing over the Philistines and himself, or Daniel in the lions’ den, or the three Hebrews in Babylon’s fiery furnace (that was in what is smell of smkoe, modern day Iraq, by the way).
I find an intriguing comment easily unnoticed in this story of three believers tossed angrily into a blazing furnace for their punishment. Read Daniel 3:1-30 NKJV. When the fire does not destroy them – nor even harm them – the befuddled king calls them out of the fire. He observed, “. . these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected – not even the smell of smoke was on them.” Daniel 3:27. There was no residue of their frightening experience – no emotional trauma, no need for healing of memories, only a powerful testimony of God’s greatness.
If you have ever sat around a campfire, you know that just being close to a fire will leave your clothes and hair with a smoky smell. You don’t have to be in it, just near it! Too many times, your present or past circumstances subtly shape your attitudes and feelings, and fill your conversation. Your story becomes all about you and your problems, when it could instead be a testimony that is all about God. Read Daniel 3:28-30 NKJV. A king’s heart is changed and God is glorified.
Their secret? They were with Jesus! See Daniel 3:24-25. That same experience is available to you. The New Testament records of the disciples, “(The religious authorities) took note of them that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 NIV. By my conversation and attitude, I want my attitude to reflect that I have been in the company of Jesus.
Read today’s verse carefully. “Always (be) full of the joy of the Lord, and always thankful!” Colossians 1:11-12 Living Bible. What it does say is more than you may assume it to say. Whose joy fills you? Your limited joy is like a thermometer that merely adjusts to the surrounding circumstance. The joy of the Lord is more like a thermostat that regulates and controls its surrounding environment.
The more you rest in His company, the more constant your joy and more natural your thankfulness. Some years ago, I chose to pray, “Lord, let my life be more the fragrance of Your presence, than the odor of my experience.” Paul desired the same, “Christ . . through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him . . the fragrance of life . . like men sent from God.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 NIV.
My prayer for you today is: may your life be a thankful and joyful testimony of His grace.