The Power of Being Thankful: 365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude (13 page)

Confidence is not possible as long as we compare ourselves with other people. No matter how good we look, how talented or smart we are, or how successful we are, there is always someone who is better, and sooner or later we will run into them.

I believe confidence is found in knowing God loves us, realizing the gifts we have and being thankful for them—then we do the best we have with what God has given us to work with. Confidence is never found in comparing ourselves with others and competing with them.

Always struggling to maintain the number one position is hard work. In fact, it’s impossible. Our joy should not be found in being better than others, but in being the best we can be for the Lord.

I thank You, Father, that I don’t have to be better than others to be accepted by You. I am confident and secure because I know that You love me just as I am. Thank You for the peace that comes when I refuse to compare myself with others.

God’s Word teaches us that when we receive Christ as our Savior and Lord, He gives us a new nature (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). He gives us His nature. He also gives us a spirit of discipline and self-control, which is vital in allowing us to choose the ways of our new nature. And He gives us a sound mind (see 2 Timothy 1:7). That means we can think about things properly without being controlled by emotion.

Every believer can be thankful that the way we once were passes away, and we have all the equipment we need for a brand-new way of behaving. With God’s help we can choose spirit over flesh and right over wrong. Our renewed spirits can now control our souls and bodies or, to say it another way, the inner person can control the outer person. Then we can live out God’s plan for our lives.

Father, I thank You that I am a new creation in You. I am so grateful for a fresh start and the new nature You have given me. Help me to leave the old ways behind today and live a brand-new, joy-filled life of victory in You.

Without God’s help, we have difficulty doing things in moderation. We can eat too much, spend too much money, have too much entertainment, and talk too much. We are excessive in our actions because we behave emotionally. We feel like doing a thing, and so we do it, without any thought to the end result. After the thing is done and cannot be undone, we regret doing it.

But thankfully we do not have to live in regret. God gives us His Spirit to enable us to make right and wise choices. He urges us, guides us, and leads us, but we still have to cast the deciding vote. Forming new habits will require making a decision not to do what you feel like doing unless it agrees with God’s will. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can change your actions and live a life free of regret!

I thank You, Father, that I don’t have to live stuck in regrets over my mistakes. You have forgiven me and made a new way for me. Help me to let go of yesterday’s shortcomings and make better decisions today. Help me to live free of regret over my past and full of faith for my future.

As believers, you and I have the same quality of life available to us that God has. His life is not filled with fear, stress, worry, anxiety, or depression. And thankfully, ours doesn’t have to be either. Instead of worrying, God takes time to enjoy His creation, the works of His hands.

In the account of Creation as recorded in Genesis 1, Scripture frequently says that after God had created a certain portion of the universe in which we live, He saw that it was good (suitable, pleasant, fitting, admirable), and He approved it. (See verses 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31.) It seems to me that if God took the time to enjoy each phase of His creation, His work, then you and I can also take time to enjoy our work. We can rejoice with gratitude knowing that God gives us the freedom to enjoy our accomplishments.

Father, thank You for the example You have set for me and for the life You have made possible for me to live. I don’t have to live full of stress, fear, or worry. Help me to leave those things behind and enjoy the life You have given me.

God created you for an exhilarating life that often requires you to take bold steps of faith, and then see Him come through for you. So many people are unsatisfied with their lives simply because they won’t step out into the new things they desire to do. They want to stay in “the safe zone,” which may feel secure, but is not always where the joy and adventure of life can be found.

We can be thankful that God has a vibrant life in store for us. Don’t let fear keep you from enjoying that life and destroying your destiny. As I like to say, “Feel the fear and do it anyway—do it afraid!”

I encourage you to include more variety in your life. Try new things; when you start feeling that life is getting stale and tasteless, add a little spice by doing something different. Start thinking and saying, “I will not live in fear.”

Father, I pray that You will help me break out of ruts and boring, lifeless routines. I thank You that You have a vibrant, exhilarating life in store for me. And I thank You that new adventures are just around the corner. Help me enjoy each and every new thing that You bring my way.