O Give Thanks!

"O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever" (Psalm 107:1).

Looking around at the negative, tragic events that occur almost daily, one might think there is no reason to give thanks to God. But there is! In spite of all the devastation of property, loss of lives, and emotional despair, God is still good and if it was not for His mercy, I would not be writing this morning and no one would be reading this! Glory to God--Give Him praise!

I haven't lost my mind, but I do realize there are some things we cannot control and rather than be resentful and bitter, I've decided to allow everything that happens to make me a better person and certainly a more studious, scholar of God's Word and intent for our lives.

We all have a choice. We can allow the events of life to control us or we can control our reactions and responses to the events of life. It is our choice! I choose Jesus--through Him and His love, I can do all things well--even with my responses to life's events.

While we pray for those who have been displaced because of the storms, heart-broken because of the loss of lives in a number of situations, let us pray they will allow God to comfort hearts and allow Him to give them insight to peace and forward movement. Let's pray for more people using the events to get closer to God and come into a right relationship with Him instead of being bitter towards God. O give Thanks to the Lord!

O God, help us to be better and not bitter about those things we cannot control. Help us to see good in everything that happens because there is something good that can be found--to Your glory. Give us a heart of compassion to help those in need and to encourage them to keep going. This we ask in Jesus' name, Amen!