Count them all

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Well it looks like you have a hamstring strain Melissa, so no running for three to four weeks," the specialist said to me yesterday. While that was definitely not the news I wanted to hear, I smiled, sincerely thanked the doctor for his time, and left the room with an ace-wrapped upper leg and a happy heart. Why? Because I was thankful. I was thankful that I had gotten the care that I needed. I was thankful that I had cross training options. I was thankful that my mother had come along for the drive and I could spend time with her, and I was thankful for a million other things that, like running, I had taken for granted. I was so thankful, in fact, that I counted my blessings all the way home. 

You know, the Bible tells us to "be thankful in all circumstances.” But if we're honest, that's not always easy. It's not always easy to be thankful when things aren't going as we would like them to or when we suffer or experience heartache. But it is "God's will" for all those "who belong to Christ Jesus." Why? Because there is always something to be thankful for-and choosing to think about our blessings rather than our misfortunes will keep our hearts joyful and our eyes set on Jesus. 

So no matter what you're facing today my friend, you can be thankful for at least three things... God is with you, God will never leave you, and you can be sure that He loves you. As a matter of fact, God loves you and me so much that He sent his one-and-only Son to die for us that we might one day spend eternity with Him. Now isn't that something to be thankful for?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we have so much to be thankful for. Give us a joyful heart Lord that we might be able to count our blessings even when it seems dark and even with a hurting heart. May we count our blessings and remember Whose we are. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Count them all - JJ Weeks Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FegDv7M5fHI