Gratitude: Being Thankful Changes EverythingSample

Gratitude: A Powerful Weapon

Reflect/Discuss

• Do you ever feel like your thoughts are out of your control?
• How can we stop negative thought patterns?

Consider

Do you ever feel powerless against the evil going of this world? Do you feel like your thoughts turn to fear, anger, jealousy, or hopelessness no matter how much you try to stay positive? It can seem like our thoughts are controlling us. The word of God promises us that we have power over our thoughts and minds and that we can have victory in our lives no matter our circumstances! 

When we are trying to follow God, our enemy, Satan, will remind us of all that has gone wrong in our lives. Our minds focus on the “evidence” that God is not faithful, that He has let us down. We have a powerful weapon against these lies: gratitude! When we choose gratitude, we are making our thoughts obedient to Christ. This begins a cycle of gratitude that allows us to destroy negative thought patterns that trap us. We begin by thanking God daily (hourly if needed) for the simplest things, and we are empowered to trust God more, to see his faithfulness and feel even more gratitude towards Him. 

Act

• Memorize II Corinthians 10:4-5. 
• When you are confronted with thoughts that cause you to doubt God’s faithfulness, begin a daily list of his gifts to you.  Thank Him out loud and remind yourself of God’s goodness to you. 

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