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Do you feel like I am screaming at you yet? Because I totally am. It's been one of those days where God is pouring this message over my head in various ways and means, so I thought I'd share it with you.
My morning began with a devotional shared by a dear friend that is about the Debbie Downers in life. You know know who I'm talking about - heck, I'm one of them way too often. It's like they present a laundry list of bad things that are happening. The grumbling, the complaining, the grousing... And it rubs off on everyone around them so that now you have a room full of people grumbling, complaining and grousing. Oh happy day! Doesn't this sound like fun!
To quote the Girlfriends in God devotional: "When you think about it, ingratitude is a casual despising of God’s sovereignty. It’s like saying we don’t like how He is running things and think we could do it better."
Holy cow! I don't want to be the person who thinks my way is better than God's way! But you know what, I quite often am that person, and it's so shameful. So, instead of grousing and complaining, I want to CHOOSE JOY. I want to trust in God and appreciate what He has given to me, because I know He has plans created specifically for me that are for His glory.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28
Here it is, in black and white, spoken directly from the Lord God Himself and written down by His people. He is telling us IT WILL BE OK because I AM WITH YOU. Through anything we face, God is with us.
"But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength." 2 Timothy 4:17
I think Joy is all about FAITH. Our grousing is because we think it should be different, better. But if we have FAITH, we know God is with us. (any thoughts on this?? share please!)
This may be my word for 2014. I haven't decided yet, but I do feel like this would be a great word to focus on for the new year. (Was this my word for this year that I've tossed aside and not focused on at all? Hmm. maybe I hsould go back and check.) Oh good. I chose Simplify - #fail. So maybe this would stick a bit better. :)
Debbie Downers annoy me, too. I hate petty complaints about weather and other things. Though I also get annoyed by people who are so sickeningly upbeat about every little thing, to the point of being fake. I couldn't even mention disliking a recipe on Twitter without criticism from such people.
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