“Be thankful” Colossians 3:15b
Do you dread the holiday seasons? Are you already tired just thinking about Thanksgiving just weeks away?
It doesn’t matter what your position in life, whether you are single or an empty nester and fighting the feelings of loneliness or married with a full household to cook and prepare for, many of us feel overwhelmed or depressed on the holidays.
Why do we allow the world to press in on our emotions, energy and finances every Thanksgiving and Christmas? How can we beat the craziness the world offers and hold on to the peace Jesus Christ gives?
I found the answer to this question. Interested? Read on.
I’ll be straight up with you on where and how I found the answer. I found it in the oldest book written in all of history. It has 66 chapters written by 40 authors who were personally inspired by God. (2 Timothy 3:16)
The Bible gives us clear direction on how to live a life full of peace and joy. I personally can testify to the power of the Scriptures in my own life. I have faced loved ones dying, defeat, embarrassment, discouragement, pain, bullying, loneliness, failure, identity crisis and more and I can still shout to the world, I AM SO THANKFUL AND FULL OF PEACE AND JOY BECAUSE OF JESUS CHRIST.
Let’s look at the Scriptures that will completely answer our questions on peace and joy linked together with a thankful heart.
Colossians 3:15-17(NIV) “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV) “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Psalm 37:37 (NIV) “Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.”
Ephesians 2:13-18 (NIV) “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace…”
Romans 14:17-19 (NIV) “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Now that you’ve read those verses don’t just take my word for it. Grab your Bible and read it for yourself. Read the entire chapter of each verse so you get the context in which it was written. God’s Word is truth and you can trust Him. Ask God to reveal Himself to you in a mighty way to help you understand and receive peace this Thanksgiving Season.
The answer for peace and joy at Thanksgiving (and Christmas) is actually very simple. We must seek a heart full of gratitude for the eternal peace and joy Christ offers through his sacrifice for all of us.
If you have been trying to do life on your own without Jesus as your Savior I have a question for you. Be honest with yourself when you answer the question. How’s it going for you? Do you really have true peace or is it superficial. God talks about superficial peace in Jeremiah 6:13-14 “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.”
I encourage you to consider asking Jesus Christ into your heart and life and allow Him to be your peace and joy. There isn’t a set prayer or a magical saying. There is nothing you can do to become a child of God. Christ did it all. Read John 3:1-21 and place your name in the reading wherever you see Nicodemus. Allow the Scriptures to speak to your heart and be aware of the exact quotes of Jesus’ words to you in the red letters.
Pray and ask Jesus Christ to become your Savior and He will give you eternal peace. If you have lost your first love now is the perfect time to restore Christ to his rightful place on the throne of your heart. It will change your life! It certainly has changed mine. This Thanksgiving will never be the same again. With a fresh new personal relationship with Christ you will be thankful everyday of your life until you meet the Savior face to face.
Thank you for reading today’s devotional and please share this post with a friend. I am praying with thanksgiving as Paul wrote in Philippians 1:3 for each reader: “I thank my God every time I remember you.” I do not know you by name by God does. Bless you!
