Novelist and Children's Author

Do You Live a Charmed Life?

Posted by on Nov 13, 2014 in Blog, Faith |

You live a charmed life.

I couldn’t deny the statement on my Facebook wall. A day earlier I had posted a photo of an ocean scene taken from one of my recent walks. (Maybe the woman needed a vacation.) But was her statement true? Did I live a charmed life?

 

ocean pic

Yes, I believe it’s true!

 

The other day I was overwhelmed, almost to tears, with how much God has blessed me. I have a wonderful husband, great kids, a comfortable home, and published books to my credit. But is everything in my life perfect? No, not by a long shot!

 

I take medication.

I don’t always workout.

I get overwhelmed.

 

My husband and I have struggled financially over the years, and my family has had its share of death, hurts, and disappointments.

 

But true thankfulness is separate from circumstances.

 

Look at the Apostle Paul. He was imprisoned in Rome and yet he wrote, “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20, NIV).

 

Thanksgiving is an everyday choice, not a once-a-year holiday.

 

Choosing to be grateful brings true joy despite difficult situations. Why, a spirit of gratitude can change our hearts from bitterness to true contentment.

 

There are verses all throughout the Bible that remind us to be thankful. Such as:

  • “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:30
  • “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Psalm 95:2
  • “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4

 

Being thankful is part of a Christian’s life and an act of worship. What specific things should we be thankful for?

  1. Material blessings. God has given us everything regardless of whether we have a lot or a little.
  2. Family and friends. No relationship is flawless and every relationship takes work. Thank God for the people He has placed in your life.
  3. Your journey. We all have trials and tribulations in this life. Thank God that He will always be by your side. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
  4. Jesus Christ. He died and rose again so that we can spend eternity with Him. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV).
  5. God’s power. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He is at work in us! Praise God. 🙂

 

Yes, I lead a charmed life, because I have a personal relationship with Jesus. Do you?

 

Every day is a day for thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?