“Everything in my life changed when I finally stopped being suspicious of God.” ~Renovatus Pastor

If we’re not careful, we can put God on trial ~ as if He has something to prove to us.

But if we take moments throughout our day to thank Him for what He’s given us, we realize just how much He’s already proven He loves and cares!

When we focus on problems, we miss all the blessings He has for us every day 🙂

Our whole life can change when we stop thinking God is holding out on us and instead believe He wants to bless & fully satisfy us.  Because He does.

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” ~Psalm 84

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.” ~Psalm 34

“They shall pour forth the fame of Your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made. All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD, and all Your saints shall bless You! … The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing… He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them.” ~Psalm 145

I’ve been told that there is always something to be thankful for, so in 2013 I’d like to try purposefully forgetting the stuff that’s going wrong & acknowledge all the goodness in my life!

After all, I don’t know of any problem that improved the more I meditated on it.

Much of Scripture talks about how thankfulness invites more blessings into our life!  God is a big fan of us being grateful.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.” ~Psalm 28

“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” ~Phil. 4

It shouldn’t be too surprising, should it?  Even the big idea from the popular book The Secret is that you attract what you are (a very biblical concept)- so be positive.  Be successful.  Be real.  Be joyful & thankful!

Maybe 2013 can be our fresh new start ~ a year we begin with thanking God for His many blessings, instead of demanding from Him our short list of what’s yet to unfold in our lives.

We can use the time spent complaining & questioning God – and fill it with gratitude for what He’s done and is doing for us.  We can even express to Him our positive expectations for the future (in a spirit of faith, not entitlement).

God responds to our faith, our belief in Him to take care of us.  When we thank Him we stir up such a heart of childlike trust, so we can be sure that He’ll respond.

This attitude also makes life more fun, so we can enjoy the journey while it unfolds (instead of WHEN it unfolds)!

Maybe, just maybe, we’ll start attracting more positive people and experiences and opportunities into our life simply by having open eyes to see new possibilities, instead of focusing on things that haven’t gone our way.

And who knows.  Maybe this new outlook will be the very thing that ushers in our dreams ♥

“Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon, must inevitably come to pass.”  ~Unknown

“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.” ~Pottery Barn