November 26 - The Trade For Thankfulness.

Philippians 4:6
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
 
When trouble and anxiety take hold of us, we have traded our faith for worry and confusion. 
 
Martha experienced this when she chose to be cumbered about with so many things that she questioned whether Jesus cared about her.
 
Luke 10:40-41
“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
 
The Scripture tells us to be careful about one thing…nothing.
“Be careful for nothing”
 
Instead, the Lord desires that we trade our carefulness for placing our faith in Him.
 
Matthew 6:33-34
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
 
When we take every thing to Him by prayer and supplication, our hearts can focus on being thankful for all He has done as we make our requests known unto Him.
 
The trade for thankfulness then brings peace.
Just as He calmed the raging winds and waves, He can speak peace to our troubled hearts.
 
Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

When we thank Him in every thing He gives the peace which passeth all understanding that only comes from Him.
 
Isaiah 26:3
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
 
The devil will try to control our thinking by distracting us with fret and worry. 
If we allow him to sway our minds and peace, he will eventually steal our faith and joy. 
 
Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
 
We can choose to be thankful in every situation, regardless of what comes our way, simply because we know that God is working every thing together for our good and His glory.
 
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
 
Decide today to be careful for nothing, and instead…
Take every thing to God in prayer trading your trouble for thankfulness as you make your requests.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Ezekiel 31-32  |    Psalm 109-110