Barbara's Banter

Think on These Things: Positive thoughts in a negative world…

When I’m down in the dumps, I try to remember little encouragements I have received through the years. It was about a year ago that something happened to brighten my day.    

My book The Choice Is Yours had just been released and I had almost 100 books to mail to various people. In order to send the books by media rate, each had to be weighed individually. When I took them to the post office, I ended up in Eugene’s line. As I read his nametag I noticed his dismayed expression. He wasn’t what I would call cheerful, but he was kind and efficient. He had a “we can do this thing” attitude. He commented about my return address labels which had something on it about Jesus and asked where he could get the labels. I told him through Current or Colorful Images.

The next day I came back with about 50 more books and it was Eugene who took care of me. This time I brought him a catalogue with that particular address label circled in case he ever wanted to get one.

The next day I was back but not with quite as many books. Because Eugene had asked about the address label with Jesus on it, I assumed he must be a Christian. So I gave him a free copy of the book he had been sending out for me and told him I wrote it. He deserved something for his patience. He couldn’t believe I wrote it and thanked me.

From time to time I would see Eugene at the post office. I wasn’t always in his line, but when I did go to his kiosk he would say, “Hi Barbara!”

About a month had passed and I was mailing out a couple more books. Eugene waited on me and told me how much my book had meant to him. He cited a couple of incidents where he put into practice some of the suggestions mentioned in the book and they really worked. I thanked him for sharing this with me.  

But what Eugene didn’t know was just that very morning I was praying about my writing. As always I asked God to bless what I write and use it for His glory, but I was wondering if any of it really makes a difference. It wasn’t a pity party, but just reflection. Many don’t realize that writing is a lonely profession in many ways—just you, your thesaurus, and the computer. You rarely know if anything you’ve written touches people. Most people don’t take the time to let you know how they feel about your writing—except the ones who don’t like what you’ve written. And for some odd reason, one negative comment impacts you far more than many positive comments. Needless to say, Eugene’s remarks meant a lot to me.

Of course, I give God the glory for this. God saw I needed a little extra encouragement that day, and He provided it. Praise God! Every time I pass the post office I ask God to bless Eugene because He used Eugene to bless me.

*****

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Think on These Things: Positive thoughts in a negative world…

It’s hard for us to think that what we are going through at any given moment is temporary, but it is. Paul realized this. He endured much hardship in his walk with Christ, yet told us that afflictions last for a moment, but what we learn from them far surpasses them because “… we do not look at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

Not only did Paul have the vision to look beyond his dire circumstances to what they produced in his life—a closer relationship with God—but I think he knew the principle of “this, too, shall pass.” Anything that’s temporary will pass.   

The phrase “this, too, shall pass” is not in the Bible. There are many “and it came to pass” and “it will come to pass” phrases, but not “this, too, shall pass.” However, I think there is a biblical principle of hope there.      

There are things we go through in life that are difficult or hard, but they will eventually be over. They will pass—and there will be much rejoicing when they do. Even physical life itself is temporary and when it passes, the Christian knows there is a better life ahead.

So as we patiently wait for whatever it is we are enduring to pass, we need to focus on something greater than our circumstances. God! Grumbling and complaining will not help a situation (Philippians 2:14). Worry or fret will not help a situation (Matthew 6:25-27). Only God’s peace of mind and strength can carry us through (Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 37:39). That won’t happen unless we fill our hearts with the mind of God which is found in His Word. God’s words are not temporary—they will never pass away (Matthew 24:35). 

*****

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Think on These Things: Positive thoughts in a negative world…

Jesus has many names in the Bible. In addition to being the Son of God, He’s our Master, Mediator, Savior, Redeemer, and much more—too many names to mention in one short article. Each name has special meaning and should definitely be explored in our walk with Christ. 

However, I think the name I love the most is Immanuel. It means God with us (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). We usually only use this name at Christmastime, but I think about it all year long. Jesus came so I would not be alone.

During difficult times, I think about Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV): “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” This was not just a promise given to Moses or Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:8, Joshua 1:5). God confirmed this promise is for us, as well, by naming Jesus Immanuel. The message in this name is that we are never alone. Hebrews 13:5 tells us God will never leave or forsake us.

At times I may feel all alone or forsaken, but I’m not. Immanuel is just as close as I will let Him be. Immanuel is in me! Immanuel is with me! And He will be with me always—even until the end of time (Matthew 28:20).

*****

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Think on These Things: Positive thoughts in a negative world…

With a new year upon us, I’ve been praying about a blog theme for 2021. None of us will be sorry to leave 2020 behind. It was a year filled with disease, distress, and disappointment. As if the pandemic wasn’t bad enough, we had to deal with political turmoil, fake news, shutdowns, financial setbacks, finger-pointing, and hate. Unfortunately, we will probably have more of the same in 2021. The world can be a very negative place. It can be a challenge to keep negativity from creeping into our lives and consuming us.

Just how does one remain positive in a negative world?

Using the Bible as a resource, the first scripture I thought of was Philippians 4:8 (KJV)—one of my favorites: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” I just kept repeating the words “think on these things” over and over in my mind.

Either God was whispering in my ear or I have a one track mind, but my 2021 blog theme will be to think on the things mentioned in Philippians 4:8.

The Bible also tells us that as a person thinks, so he or she will live (Proverbs 23:7). So what we think about makes a difference. Yes, it is good to know what’s going on in the world, but to feed on murder, injustice, politics, hate, and health crises 24/7 is not healthy. After a daily update, we can move on to other things. Do we really want to spend our precious time looking for conspiracies which, if they do exist, we can do nothing about? Would it not be more productive to improve our outlook or make a difference in someone’s life? What we fill our minds with in life determines whether we will curse the darkness or light a candle.

It’s not enough to block negative thoughts from our minds through some form of escapism. To make progress, we have to actually replace them with good thoughts. A person with good thoughts is an asset to the world. It reminds me of this quote from The Twits by children’s author Roald Dahl: “A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked chin and stick out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

So come along with me on a lovely new journey this year. Let’s explore some positive thoughts that might help us cope in a negative world. Then maybe we truly can have a happy new year! 

*****

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

Christmas has passed and the New Year will soon be upon us. Perhaps it’s wise to carry the message of Christmas into the New Year—a message of joy. Joy to the world because the Lord has come.

There was much joy when Jesus came. Before He came, there was no hope. When Jesus was born it was a joyous time. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’” (Luke 2:8-14).

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room.” Is my heart so full of other things that I don’t have room for Jesus? If I have Jesus in my heart, I will have joy. Jesus is my joy. His joy needs to be in me and it can’t be in me if I don’t make room for it (John 15:11).

I remember the song I sang as a young child. “I have that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay.” I want that joy down in my heart throughout the coming year and every day of my life. So each day I need to acknowledge that God is the source of all joy (Psalm 45:4). There is joy in the presence of God (Psalm 21:6; Psalm 16:11). There is joy in praising God (Psalm 43:4). There is joy in thanking God (Colossians 1:2). There is joy in believing what God says (Philippians 1:6). There is joy in trusting God (Romans 15:13).

There is joy in Jesus. There is joy in knowing He came to earth. There is joy in knowing He accepts, loves, and died for us—inexpressible, glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8). It’s the kind of joy that’s hard to put into words. One has to experience it. It’s genuine and can’t be faked. It’s a joy that no man can take away (John 16:22). It’s a joy that is always with me in good times and in bad (Philippians 4:4).

Yes, that’s what I want this next year. I want that joy, joy, joy, joy of Jesus down in my heart—down in my heart to stay.

*****

Oh Jesus, You are my joy! As the New Year approaches help me stay focused on You. May there always be room in my heart for You. May I always rejoice in Your presence. May I always praise and worship You. May I always trust and believe You. My prayer for this next year is that You will live in my heart and let it overflow with Your presence and love. 

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens” are cute but not my favorite things, especially at Christmastime. Have I mentioned that I love Christmas? So here’s a list of just a few of my favorite Christmas things guaranteed to make me smile.  

Nativity Scenes: It doesn’t matter if they’re big, little, or miniature scenes, with or without animals. I love them all. Seeing them reminds me about the birth of our Savior, a gift for the world.  

Christmas Music: So many of the latter verses of familiar Christmas hymns or carols, the ones that aren’t usually sung, focus on the reason Jesus came. Even piped-in Christmas elevator music has me humming along.

Christmas Cookies: In years past, if my parents couldn’t make it out here to California from the Midwest to celebrate Christmas with us, Mom sent a mega amount of cookies—more than enough to share with everyone. We put them in a huge, red box labeled “Grandma’s Cookies” and snapped pictures of everyone who took one out. The photos were placed in a mini album and sent to her. One Christmas Mom used salt instead of sugar in her cookies. Ah, the joy of aging! We never told her but boy does this memory make us laugh.

The Messiah, Christmas Performances: It’s great to see a performance of The Messiah and sometimes they actually let the audience sing along. This is very nostalgic for me since I sang it in high school and college. “The Hallelujah Chorus” alone is worth the price of admission. I also like live performances of Christmas stage plays and musicals.

Snow: Newborn snow like we see back East or in the Midwest is beautiful. What a miracle snow is! Did you know that no two snowflakes are alike? What a testament to God’s creation.

The Giving Tree: Each year our bank sponsors “The Giving Tree” which allows me to buy gifts for homeless families or toys for needy children. These people have made a little wish list and I have the opportunity to grant it. Imagine the smile of a child who doesn’t have much when he or she receives that special gift.  

Christmas Caroling: Some of our friends used to do this in their neighborhood each year a few days before Christmas and we loved going with them. We only sang at the decorated houses so as not to offend. The people we sang to loved it. They gave us cookies and drinks. We felt like we are on an old Currier and Ives postcard.

Reading Christmas Stories: I read O’Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” almost every year. This poignant story captures the true meaning of Christmas. I also love an article by Taylor Caldwell entitled “My Christmas Miracle” which has my favorite Christmas quote: “And this is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.” What a Christmas message! One of the names for Jesus is Immanuel which means God with us! I also love Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” Tiny Tim says, “God bless us everyone!” Amen!

Family Dinner: We always have a meal together. Sometimes it’s a repeat of the turkey dinner we cook for Thanksgiving. The meal is always good, but the family time is better. Sometimes we sing Christmas carols afterwards and open our Secret Santa stockings.

Christmas Movies: Many know that I’m a movie buff so this list could get a little long, but I feel compelled to share it. Some aren’t familiar with the older movies so this might help when trying to choose a family movie to watch during the Christmas season.

• It’s a Wonderful Life (could watch it a hundred times and probably have)
• Miracle on 34^th Street (definitely the original, not the remake),
• Christmas in Connecticut (the one with Barbara Stanwyck, not the TV remake)
• A Christmas Story (all he wants for Christmas is a BB gun)
• White Christmas (Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney)
• Meet Me in St. Louis (Judy Garland at her best)
• Home Alone 1 (2 is okay but skip 3)
• The Bells of St. Mary’s (Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman)
• The Bishop’s Wife (only the old one with Cary Grant and Loretta Young, not the remake The Preacher’s Wife)
• The Lemon Drop Kid (only the old one with Bob Hope)
• I’ll Be Seeing You (Ginger Rogers, Joseph Cotton)
• Elf (William Ferrell)
• The Santa Clause (Tim Allen)
• A Christmas Carol (just about all versions and remakes, including the cartoons)
• All the animated cartoons (except the bizarre ones like Santa Meets the Martians, etc.)

Putting a Dollar in the Salvation Army Pot: When I give a dollar the bell ringers smile and say, “God bless you!” He already has. That’s why I can put a little in the pot for others. Who knows? When they ring that bell maybe another angel gets his wings.

Christmas Shopping: Yes, I said Christmas shopping! I know it’s a hustle and bustle. I know it’s crowded and hectic. I know it’s full parking lots and long checkout lines. But what can I say? I love smiling at any Scrooges I meet and saying, “Merry Christmas!”

Next to giving someone Jesus for Christmas I think the best gift I could give would be trying to reflect Jesus through a smile or kind word. I can’t help but feel that when I smile at others, Jesus smiles at me.  

Merry Christmas! God bless us everyone!

*****

Jesus my Jesus, many don’t know You are the reason for this season, but I know. As I go from task to task during this busy time of year help me never lose sight of You. Please use me to be a reflection of You to others, especially at this time of year. It’s a time when many are more receptive to Your message and Your gift of salvation. Joy to the world! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room. I pray there will always be room in my heart for You.

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

I love, love, love the Christmas season. While some hate the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, I relish it. I love hearing Christmas music everywhere. I love hearing an atheist hum “O Come All Ye Faithful” when he has no idea he is praising our Lord. Yes, I know the commercialism has gotten way out of hand, but Christmas is a time when the whole world celebrates the Savior’s birth whether they think they are or not. Without Christ, there really is no “Christ”-mas.

Those of us who don’t have money to buy expensive gifts to lavish on loved ones or even put a dollar or two in Santa’s Salvation Army bucket may feel a little down. But do not despair! There are gifts you can give that cost little or nothing, yet are very valuable. Here’s a list I’ve come up with and I’m sure you can add your own ideas. Just because you can’t buy gifts for others doesn’t mean you don’t have something to give.

Smiles: Smiles are a universal language. Not only do smiles lift spirits, they are contagious. Statistics show that a person who is given a smile will more than likely give one to someone else. So as the old song goes, “Smile, darn ya, smile!” (Psalm 32:11)

Handwritten Note of Appreciation: Has someone done you a kindness? Why not give them a handwritten note of appreciation? With email and text messaging being the norm for communication today, a handwritten note could turn out to be a collector’s item. (Philippians 1:3)

Encouragement: Words like “you did a great job,” “thank you for your help,” and “don’t you look nice today” can make someone’s day. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Laughter: Why not clip and share a funny, yet tasteful, cartoon with someone? Sharing a laugh can even improve one’s health. Studies show that those who laugh more live longer. (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Patience: Try not to get irritated with ANYONE for the whole holiday season. Don’t raise your voice in anger or lash out at others. We all make mistakes from time to time, so we don’t need others constantly pointing them out to us. (Luke 21:19)

Benefit of the Doubt: Think the best of others for a change. Don’t impute motives or assume they are doing things to deliberately upset you. Sometimes we just take things the wrong way. (Philippians 4:8)

Give People a Break: Open the door for someone. Let someone go ahead of you in line. Give the other guy the parking space. It won’t hurt you as much as you think. (Philippians 2:3)

Visit One Person in a Nursing Home: So many that are in nursing homes have no one to visit them. Our dream as a young person is not to end up old and alone. Ask the nursing home attendant if there is anyone who never has visitors, then visit a little with that person. Listen more than talk. The elderly love sharing childhood stories. They are living history lessons. (Matthew 25:39-40)

Forgive: Remember that forgiveness is a gift you give yourself as well as others. Let go and let God take care of it. (Matthew 6:14)

Be a Living Example of Jesus Christ: ‘Tis the season to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Be a reflection of Christ. Let others see that Christ is alive and living in you. What a great gift to give to others! (Matthew 5:16)

You won’t find these gifts under the tree. That’s what’s so nice about them. People don’t have to wait until Christmas to unwrap the package!

*****

O heavenly Father, I can’t thank You enough for the indescribable gift of Your Son Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 9:15). He came not to condemn us but to save us (John 3:17). The angels sang at His birth and although we don’t know the exact time or date of His actual birth that does not mean we can’t rejoice at this time of year. What a wonderful time to pause and spend time with friends and family. It’s even better if we can focus on Jesus’s birth during our celebrations, but if that’s not possible, we can still remember the true meaning of Christmas in our hearts and reflect Christ’s love to all we meet. Merry Christmas, Lord! And thanks again for giving us the perfect Christmas present—Your Son, Jesus!  

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

I hate to admit it, but my world tends to revolve around ME and all things related to ME—my home, my family, my community, my city, my state, my country, my likes, my wants, my needs, my dreams, my passions, my opinions, and my thoughts. I am the center of my world and God loves ME!

Sometimes I forget that although God loves ME, He loves everyone else, too. I may be the center of my world, but I am not the center of God’s world—and it’s His world that counts. So from time to time, I have to do a reality check. My world should not revolve around me; it should revolve around God and around others as I reflect God’s Spirit in me. After all, the two great commandments are to love God and others (Matthew 22:37-40).

When God becomes the center of my world, my worldview or perspective changes. Exclusive concepts focusing on “me, myself, and I” are replaced with inclusive Trinitarian thinking which include the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This expands to more of a “we and us” view, rather than

just me. Neighbors and coworkers are not just acquaintances but brothers and sisters in Christ.

A panhandler is not just a beggar but a child of God. A homeless person is not an outcast, but someone God loves. God loves all of us, not just me

My husband has been in pastoral ministry for over fifty years. People are attracted to his love for God and others. I received a lovely email this year from a couple we worked with in the Appalachia area forty-some years ago who were new to the area at the time. I would like to share an excerpt with you.

“We were, and still are, so appreciative of you folks. You helped us so much! We will never forget the first time we met and Pastor Mel gave us some very wise counsel right from the get-go. He said, “You don’t talk about your college experiences, your travel, your education, your anything. Get to know the people. Find something you like here and talk about that, not you!”

This is how my pastor husband lives his life and I think it explains his success in pastoring churches all over the United States—from Appalachia to inner city Detroit. People are people. They all have the same basic need to be accepted, appreciated, and loved. That’s what God does for all of us.

Am I jealous that God loves others as much as me? I shouldn’t be—not when I fully understand God’s capacity for love. God can love all of us and still have a special, intimate relationship with each one as an individual. That’s just how great He is!

When we realize how much God loves us and how great He is, we don’t just want Him to be part of our world; we want Him to be at its core and center. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). In Him, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). We want to stay connected through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). His thoughts are not our thoughts so we try to align to His way of thinking (Isaiah 55:8). This is accomplished by internalizing and writing His words on our hearts (Proverbs 7:1-3). We meditate on scripture and apply it to our lives (Psalm 119:15).

God knows everything and we don’t so we want His will to supersede ours (Luke 22:42). He has only our best interests in mind, so we adjust to what God wants to do, not what we want to do. Our agendas decrease as His become more manifest. We focus on Christ because that’s how we survive. Remember the example of Peter? As long as he stayed focused on Christ, he walked on water. When his attention shifted off Christ, he began to sink (Matthew 14:30).

As our personal lives become more God centered, we notice our perspectives slowly changing. We start seeing the world around us through God’s eyes instead of our own. We realize we were created by God and for Him (Colossians 1:16), so we actually start thinking about God more than self. Plus, we start thinking of others more than self.   

I must admit, I still struggle with wanting my world to revolve around ME. However, in my heart I know it’s not about ME; it’s all about God!

*****

Dear Great God, You are truly great, powerful, and mighty. You are a God of love, mercy, and grace. What a privilege it is to be called a child of God! What a privilege it is to be part of Your world! You make me feel so special that I sometimes forget that life is not all about ME; it’s all about YOU! Gently remind me of this when I try to negotiate and manipulate You into giving me what I want. Let me always willingly defer to Your judgment and place my trust in You. Allow my love and appreciation for You and what You do in my life to overflow to others.   

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

When I first started writing, about a hundred years ago, I learned quickly that the writer’s life was full of rejections. Of course, I was in good company.

• Zane Gray was told, “You have no business being a writer and you should give up.” He has sold over 250 million books.
• Louis L’Amour received 200 rejections before he was published. He has sold over 330 million books.
• Agatha Christie’s books were rejected for five years. Her book sales are now over $2 billion. Only William Shakespeare has sold more.
• Chicken Soup for the Soul books were rejected 140 times. Now they have sold over 125 million books. .
• The Tales of Peter Rabbit was rejected so many times that Beatrice Potter decided to self-publish 250 books. It has sold over 45 million.
• Margaret Mitchell received 38 rejections for Gone with the Wind.
• A Wrinkle in Time received 26 rejections.

J. K. Rowling, Dr. Suess, C.S. Lewis, and H. G. Wells all experienced major rejection. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. Now I don’t list these names in the hopes I, too, will one day be a rich and famous author. I’m just illustrating rejection comes with the territory. So early on I realized I would get plenty of rejection. Therefore, from the beginning, when I received a positive comment about anything I wrote, I put it into a folder. It’s my “encouragement” folder.

A writer’s life can be a lonely one—just you, your computer, and a thesaurus. Most people do not take the time to write a note when they like what you’ve written. So you don’t know if anyone is reading it or if it has impacted a person in some way. So these precious notes and letters boost my spirits when I’m feeling low. I also have another “encouragement” file with meaningful, thoughtful notes from friends, family, and associates. It’s not a vanity thing. It just reaffirms that my efforts are not a total loss. We all need a little encouragement from time to time.

Life is full of rejection and negativity. God accepts and appreciates us, but others may not. I think that’s why the Bible says a lot about edifying and encouraging others (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Edify means to build up or encourage. The Message Bible puts it this way: “Watch the way you talk…Say only what helps, each word a gift” (Ephesians 4:29). Encouragement is a gift we give to one another.  

Encouragement is important because it goes straight to the heart of a person. In fact, in Latin “en” means “put into” and “cor” means “the heart.” Put into the heart!

We live in an ultra-busy society. Giving encouragement to others falls way down at the bottom of our to-do list. Yet, God himself is the great encourager (Psalm 10:17; Romans 15:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). The Bible is the most encouraging book ever written. God comforts, exhorts, and encourages us. He wants us to do that for others (I Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11; Hebrews 3:13).

Encouragement should not be confused with idle flattery. Not everyone is the greatest, best, or most fantastic person in the whole wide world. False praise can produce rivalry or competition, be judgmental, foster selfishness, or give a deceptive sense of evaluation. Encouragement, on the other hand, stimulates cooperation or contribution for the good of all, focuses on effort, makes a person feel accepted, and gives comfort or joy.

Encouragement is a two-way street, a win-win scenario as they say in the corporate world. It not only encourages the recipient but the giver as well (Romans 1:11-12). An old adage says, “One word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than a hundred words of praise during a success.” I think that’s true.

We live in a pressure-filled world filled with unrealistic expectations. Satan uses this to tear us down, make us feel unimportant and unappreciated, or like we don’t belong. Sometimes we feel like Jesus doesn’t even care, even though deep in our hearts we know differently. Encouragers are Christ’s representatives here on earth. Their mission is to “put into the heart” of people the thought that they are appreciated and someone cares.

*****

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for sending encouragers my way. Put in my heart words of encouragement for others. When someone does a kind deed, let me praise them. When people exhibit any of the fruits of Your Spirit, let me commend them. When others have me go first, let me thank them. When friends make progress, let me congratulate them. Let me never miss an opportunity to acknowledge others. You want people to feel valued, appreciated, and loved. What You’ve given me, let me gladly pass on to others. To YOU be the glory!

A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…

When Thanksgiving comes around each year, it’s a great reminder to give thanks. Psalm 92:1-4 says, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness at night.”

I think this is more of a command than a suggestion but all too often we forget to be thankful. It’s so easy to lose sight of this amid the hustle and bustle of everyday activity, but not just the Bible tells us it is good to give thanks. Scientific studies have shown the benefits of being thankful. People who express daily gratitude are 25% happier and healthier than those who don’t. A University of California long-term study on gratitude found that being grateful promotes good health, contributes to becoming successful, aids better sleep patterns, and just overall makes one more generous and helpful to others.

Even Oprah Winfrey says, “The single greatest thing you can do to change your life today would be to start being grateful for what you have right now.”

So the world has come to know what the Bible told us all along. It is good to give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 92:11). 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 goes so far as to say, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…” I have found I can even find something to be thankful for in dire circumstances. What about sunshine, flowers, a smile from someone, a child’s laughter, or even finding a good parking space?

Keeping a daily gratitude journal is helpful. The Internet has tons of ideas on starting and keeping these journals. Some spend each day making mental notes on just the positive things they experience and then write about them. Others list three things each day they are grateful for and try not to repeat anything.  

Even though I’m a writer, I’ve never been good at journaling. I’ll also admit that I don’t record each day what I’m thankful for, but I do practice a little positive meditation before I go to sleep. When I snuggle into bed at night instead of mentally rehashing every bad thing that happened all day long, I try to focus on everything that went right, no matter how small.

Another thing I try to do is just practice saying “thank you” to each and every person who does something for me. Everyone! This includes the waiter who takes my order or the guy who bags my groceries. Sure they are getting paid to do it, but a “thank you” from someone can make their jobs a little more tolerable.

Prayer time is a great place to give thanks. I try to start and end each prayer by thanking God for something. I also ask God to bring back to mind all the wonderful things He’s done for me in the past and thank Him. I think one of the sweetest prayers God can hear from anyone’s lips is a heartfelt “Thank You, Lord!” People like to hear it too!

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Thank You, Lord! Thank You for another day of life! Thank You for friends and family! Thank You for loved ones I don’t get to see very often! Thank You for the beautiful memories of loved ones who have passed away. Thank You for the air I breathe, the clothes I wear, the cozy bed I sleep in, the chirping birds, the rose bush in the front yard, the peaches from our tree, the sunset, the rain, the laughing children in the schoolyard across the street, the food I eat… The Bible tells me that it is good to give thanks to God! I give thanks to You because You are good! May my prayers always be full of thanks to You!