Thanksliving

Every Thanksgiving, we are reminded to celebrate all we have to be thankful for in our lives.

But God doesn’t want us to just be especially thankful once a year. He longs for us to be thank-full every day in every situation every time we can.

Do you recall that verse “Give thanks in all circumstances” we hear every autumn? There’s more to it….for it wasn’t meant to stand on its own!

”Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

BE CHEERFUL no matter what. Being of good cheer is part choice, part based upon how we handle the emergencies & hard situations we face. Which links it to the next instruction in this verse:

PRAY ALL THE TIME. Out loud, in your mind, or with your spirit, constantly bringing everything to Him in the moment.

And when we connect with Him as we do so? (We can) GIVE THANKS in all circumstances.

Only when all three occur together does the last part of this verse make complete sense:

“This (cheerfully praying with thanks every step of all we encounter) is the way God wants His Beloved to live….”

• Choosing joy.

• Connected with Him.

• Celebrating with thanks.

This Thanksgiving season, take the time to look back on how God has been with you in every season, and what He walked you through.

SMILE. (Laugh, twinkle your eyes or flash your dimple!) Because cheerful inside usually leads to a sign on the outside!

PRAY. However you pray. Whether by speaking it. Thinking it. Writing it. Singing it. Drawing it. On your own. In 2 or 3. At home. At work. Over coffee. While walking. In the car, bus or train.

CHOOSE TO BE THANKFUL. We are so extra blessed when we are part of God’s family:

•We are loved beyond measure by our Father. We belong. •We are residents of the Kingdom, made whole & clean in Jesus. We’re His. •We have access to resources beyond our comprehension through Holy Spirit. We’re never alone.

Because God is fully with us through all things, we can be thank-full in every season, & every day!

Karla Lees, Christian Women at Work

Overcoming Fear at Work: Calmness, Clarity, Conviction

"But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil." (Proverbs 1:33)

In our series Overcoming Fear at Work, we have each considered a specific decision we need to make. It must be a significant decision if you have been thinking about something in particular.

Have you found that what you expected to learn and experience differs from what you are actually learning and experiencing? As I searched for the answer to a crucial decision, I found God provided what I had forgotten I really needed.

As I looked to God for direction on whether it was a “Yes” or “No,” He has been leading me back to Him, bringing me back to who He is, His love for me, and how He wants the best for me. Before I could make my decision, God brought me to a place of calmness, clarity, and conviction.

Calmness: When confronted with decisions, there is often stress and anxiety. As I brought my issue to God, I looked to Him to provide the answers. However, as I daily read His word and spent time with Him, that was not the first place He took me to. Instead, God dealt with my emotional needs and brought calmness to me. In addition, there was also more of a general calm which “spilled over” into other areas of both my work and personal life. I did not yet know what to do, but my anxiety about it was replaced with calmness.

Calmness in decision making: When we seek God and listen to Him so we can follow His will, He blesses us beyond our expectations. We more deeply understand His love and faithfulness, bringing calmness to our hearts and soul.

"For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds." (Psalm 108:4)

Clarity: It can be overwhelming to know what to consider when making certain decisions. Do we look at the impact of no longer having the present situation or the opportunities/challenges of an unknown? Who should we consider? How does my personal life fit into this decision? When I brought my issue to God, I addressed more than the obvious question.

Clarity in decision making: When we seek God's direction in a difficult decision, He provides clarity about the different aspects and relationships we need to consider in our decision-making. Our thoughts became more organized as we spent regular time in His Word, praying and listening.

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:6)

Conviction: When we turn to God for knowledge, wisdom, and courage, He convicts us of what is truly important. We understand God has a specific plan for each of us. Clarity leads us to what and who we need to think about, but we then move to be convicted of our real-life priorities.

Conviction in decision making: God provides calm and clarity when we turn to Him for wisdom in making a decision. When we spend time in His Word and listen to Him, we become convicted that the next step will reflect His law and principles.

"All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Taking This to God in Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I have a difficult decision facing me, and I want to my decision to best honor You. Thank You for Your Word and for speaking to me. You provide so much when I seek You; calmness and peace, clarity and insights, conviction and confidence. Thank You for Your love and faithfulness in all situations and for the answers You will provide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

May God richly bless you as you turn to Him for your decisions this week at work.

Bonny, Christian Women at Work

Overcoming Fear at Work: Part 3

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Psalm 3:5-6)

God has a plan for us, and that involves our work-life: whether it be the work we do, how we perform it, who we work with, and/or if it is time for a change.

Take a moment to consider the amount of time we spend at work and the opportunities as well as emotional impact it can have on us. Regularly talking to God and listening to Him about our work situation is crucial.

God wants to guide us in these steps; our role is to listen.

God wants us to hear what He has to say; our role is to listen.

God wants us to be encouraged and at peace; our role is to listen.

Spending time with the Lord to hear what He wants to tell us will give us the knowledge to do what He wants us to do, the wisdom to know how to do it, and the courage and peace to step into what might be an unknown or new situation.

I recall a past interview for a physiotherapy position at our clinic. When we asked the person about their experience with a well-known physiotherapy approach (which everyone in our clinic is expected to use), this person said they did not believe in it. When questioned further, it came to light that the interviewee had never taken a course on it nor used it. They made a statement about something known to be effective yet had never even tried it. Are we sometimes reacting that way? Are we saying “no” to something based on something other than trust or knowledge? God has told us He will direct our steps and that we do not need to be anxious or fearful. But we need to be taking time to listen to Him, so He can give us clear direction.

The Centre for Bible Engagement conducted a study in 2009 looking at people who read their Bible once, twice, three times, or four times per week. They found that reading the Bible less than four times per week did not change their lives. However, there was an exponential change in a person when they read the Bible four times per week. Unhealthy habits dramatically decreased, and spiritual habits significantly increased. This provides clear evidence to us of how often we need to be studying God’s Word and listening for His voice.

As you are listening to God and waiting on Him for direction on a specific issue, you must be honoring Him in all areas of your life: your actions, reactions, and interactions. While waiting on the Lord to know the right thing, we can continue doing the right things daily.

“The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander who does no wrong to a neighbor and casts no slur on others; but honors those who fear the Lord who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.” (Psalm 15:2-5)

In Part 1 and Part 2 in Overcoming Fear at Work, we shared ten initial steps to take. The active component was to expectantly read a Psalm every day and spend quiet time in a listening attitude toward God. Have you taken your specific fear to the Lord and listened to Him? If like the person we interviewed, you have not taken the time to listen quietly to the Lord, you therefore will not know how the Lord wants to guide and bless you. Make the choice to start today!

Taking This to God in Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, You know the fear I am dealing with. Help me to sit quietly before you, expectantly read a Psalm, and then just listen for You to speak. Help me to clear all distractions and solely focus on You. Speak to my heart, Lord, and help me listen well so I may hear Your voice and discern what I should be doing. I am so thankful that You want to give me clear direction. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have a great week, and may God richly bless you as you commit to reading His Word at least four times per week as you intentionally listen for His Voice.

God Bless!

Bonny, Christian Women at Work