Let me start by sharing that it's been a difficult week for me emotionally. I've continued to be filled with sinful thoughts of doubt, discouragement, fear, and yes, even some anxiety. I find myself wondering if we are living too "recklessly" in our present journey, or if we're just truly being faithful to God's promise and the direction He's placed us on.

I know I've written about this topic so much lately that you must be sick of reading about it. You might even be thinking, "Get over it…or Walk it off…or maybe even Do something about it." Quite possibly many of you are wondering where my faith has gone.

{Sigh} I know. The guilt I have felt lately over this spiritual battle within me has been exhausting!

But, you see this is what a faith journey is all about. We are pushed beyond what we feel capable of handling. And for good reason. So we can become stronger in our faith, but also so we will be reminded that we aren't meant to handle it alone.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. ~2 Peter 3:18
NKJV

We are called to be obedient. To hand our concerns over to God and let Him work His plan. If we truly are faithful and believe His promises than we need to trust Him.

A few nights ago, I was crying to my husband about this overwhelming amount of guilt and frustration I've been feeling. I told him how I feel so guilty because I know that I can and need to trust God, but yet I struggle to let my worries go. I struggle to hand it over to His control.

I feel totally weak. Somewhat beaten down.

I mean, after everything we've been through the past several years, shouldn't I be stronger than this?

And being the total blessing that he is, my husband reminded me of the science behind how a muscle gains strength. A muscle, when it isn't being worked, stretched, or exercised in any way deteriorates. It's weak…almost useless in some cases.

In order for a muscle to become stronger, it first has to experience injury, being stretched and even torn a little bit. Then there is often pain. Sometimes a lot of pain. Even to the point of toxins being released into your system, inflammation soon occurs, and the healing sometimes takes days. But then the muscle recovers and rebuilds itself stronger than it ever was before.

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases
strength. ~ Isaiah 40:29 NKJV

It's good that God is allowing my spiritual muscles to be stretched and torn. He's molding me for bigger and better things, for His ultimate plan and will. This is a blessing that I should be jumping for joy over. He loves me so much that He's preparing me for greater things.

My pain is actually a blessing in disguise. Which leads to my topic for the day.

Counting our Blessings and Being Thankful in Prayer.

It's sad to think that often times our blessings get buried in the rubble of our day to day living. We tend to forget the beauty of our life, our health, our loved ones, and countless other great gifts from God while we spend our energy and hearts consumed in the really unimportant worldly things of this life.

Money - Pride - Idols - Sin - Temptations

But is the "American dream" we are chasing really going to matter in the Kingdom of Heaven? Are the non-essential worldly things, heavy on our minds, worth the distraction from the blessings God has poured into our lives? Are we making this life and our thoughts meaningful - about glorifying God?

It's a daily spiritual battle for me. Satan wants me to be distracted. He wants me to be filled with sinful thoughts and emotions.

But this is something I CAN control. God has given all of us the power of choice and free will. Therefore, I CAN say no to negative thoughts and emotions, choosing to focus on all that is great in life. I CAN be thankful to God for His countless blessings. I CAN give God all the glory which He deserves.

So to do this I've come up with a plan.

As part of improving my prayer life and in working on A.C.T.S.  {Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication}, this week's focus being Thanksgiving, I've decided to implement a new daily action.

I've decided to journal my daily blessings. {You can get journal's anywhere, but Family Christian stores has a nice selection to choose from.}

Every night before I go to bed, I'm taking five minutes to journal my blessings from that day. This way, when I pray I'll have a very clear picture of what things I am so thankful for…the things which God deserves all the glory for.

And each morning as I start my day, I take a moment to glance through my list of blessings. It's a reminder of God's love first thing in the morning. It's my way of taking control and saying NO to Satan and his lies.

Here's a sample of my daily blessings:

Have you been thinking regularly about your many blessings? If not, I encourage you to journal them and then take a moment to bow before God in heartfelt worship and love, thanking Him…over and over and over again. Give Him the glory He deserves.

~Until next time, May God continue to bless you with His mighty love!

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