One Life Church
Sometimes we think of gratitude as a spontaneous eruption of emotion that happens when something really good happens to us. But gratitude isn’t just a feeling. It’s an action. It’s a cognitive choice to be grateful in every situation and circumstance. It’s a discipline that we can grow in. Gratitude helps us bend our lives in the right direction. It produces worship, peace, generosity, hospitality and gives us an eternal perspective. Gratitude has the power to save us from being human ping pong balls batted around by emotions, urges, and desires. It’s a very practical way of keeping our eyes focused on the author and perfecter of our faith. During the month of November we want to invite you to practice 30 days of gratitude by turning social media into a platform of gratitude. Here’s what we mean…Each day post a picture of something or someone God has placed in your life and then write a couple sentences to articulate your gratitude. As you practice gratitude this month we encourage you to pay attention to the ways in which it shapes you and turns your attention to who God is and what God is doing in your life.
Gratitude produces...
Worship.
Generosity and Hospitality.
Purpose.
Peace.
Eternal Perspective.
Philippians 4v5b-7(The Voice)
The Lord is ever present with us. Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. God longs to hear your requests, so talk to him about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.
Are you experiencing perpetual worry?
1. Are you laughing less than you once did?
2. Are you overly cautious?
3. Are your thoughts overly critical?
4. Are you less generous?
5. Are you on edge?
6. Is it difficult for you to name your consistent healthy rhythms?
7. Do you magnify the negative?
8. Do you resent the success of others?
9. Are you isolating yourself (especially from your faith community/church)?
10. Do you avoid relationships because you assume they’ll all end in pain, betrayal, and brokenness?
Why are we experiencing such a deep level of worry?
1. Our world is changing faster than ever before.
2. Our access to information is instant and constant.
3. Our try harder culture.
Try Harder --> Fail --> I feel guilty --> I want to give up --> I experience shame --> I try harder
Which one of these do you resonate with?
Worry comes with life but it doesn't have to master your life.
Philippians 4v5b-7(The Voice)
The Lord is ever present with us. Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. God longs to hear your requests, so talk to him about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.
Paul's remedy for perpetual worry...
1. Trust that God meets you right where you are. (verse 5)
2. Pray about everything. (verse 6)
3. Be thankful for who God is and what God is doing in your life. (verse 6)
When you practice gratitude you will experience a peace that goes beyond your understanding.
Matthew 8v23-27
They all got into a boat and began to cross over to the other side of the lake. And Jesus fell asleep. Suddenly a violent storm developed, with waves so high the boat was about to be swamped. Yet Jesus continued to sleep soundly. The disciples woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We’re going to die!” But Jesus said to them. “Why are you gripped with fear? Where is your faith?” Then he stood and rebuked the storm, saying, “Be still!” And instantly it became perfectly calm. The disciples were astonished by this miracle and said to one another, “Who is this Man? Even the wind and waves obey his Word.”
Peace is a person and his name is Jesus.