ALWAYS and for EVERYTHING
I believe thankfulness is the welcome mat to peace and joy. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Picture it this way:
As we struggle with cleaning our house, paying our bills, respecting our husband, training the children, being hurt, finding meaning….(or for children: obeying our parents, doing our school, cleaning our rooms, being hurt by friends) Jesus offers us peace. We are standing in Grumpsville and we have a choice.
God is standing at the threshold of His beautiful mansion filled with peace and joy, inviting us to come in. We can choose to stay in Grumpsville or we can accept His invitation.
Right before the door to Jesus mansion sits a welcome mat and it is thankfulness. In every situation we can experience God’s peace and joy if we first stand on His welcome mat of being thankful. It is difficult to be counting our blessings and grumbling at the same time.
At first, being thankful when we don’t feel it might be hard but try it, take the step and see if God won’t welcome you into His mansion filled with peace and joy.