How to Feel Thankful in Difficult Times

Anything is possible if you believe; and that's what faith is all about. ~Arkay Evans

For those who believe in love, the walk is truly an...adventure. At every turn, there is a poor situation or a rank personality threatening to snatch you right out of the spirit of it. The little things that add up - an interaction here or an illness there can take you to the edge and leave you in serious need of spiritual and emotional renewal. Believe me, I know - sometimes it takes all the energy I have not to act or react in the flesh.  Can I get a witness?

We are all emotional creatures of habit. We avoid pain and seek pleasure. We need shelter, food, and water. We need love in abundance, and yes, sometimes we need help in order to process our relationships and experiences through the merciful eyes of faith. We are human.

Knowing the word and living it are two different things.  If you're a person of faith, your life alone is a ministry.  Ask yourself -  if each of our lives is a ministry, what is mine teaching?  Your life is proof that the possibilities are endless, that there is an infinite potential for you to do great things - and it all begins with forgiveness.  For me, God is Love.  The rest is just semantics.

"As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3: 12-14

To memorize, intellectualize and quote biblical concept is certainly admirable, but to Live the Word requires a deliberate focus that often means lavishing 'who done ya wrong' with the same mercy you need God for.   Easy, right?  NO. It's more like ironic.  Good news is, anything is possible, if you believe - and that's what faith is all about.

I do love adventure, so I have to travel light. To create what inspires, one must focus on forgiveness, leave the junk behind and allow belief to push through. One must be willing to look at their reflection, smile at the child of God they see, and let the burdens, thoughts and feelings of unforgiveness go down the drain.  I replace them with thoughts of thanksgiving for what IS working in my life.  I embrace the possibilites of TODAY and let the past go.  Faith provides the guidence I need to prepare and move forward on the journey, focused on the moment.  I know that by grace I'm blessed just being me, and I that never have to wallow in the stagnations of past fails and old junk mail.

After all, old news and bad blood turns to nothing more than rage or a pity party that nobody wants to attend.  To keep with the off-beat of an unforgiving heart is like taking rat poison and so the rat that bit you will die. Get away from the rat. Let offense go.

The past is over.  The faithful trust to be guided in the right direction; that an authentic effort comes straight from the heart of gratitude; a heart that is renewed and revived again and again by the grace of God, I don't care how hard the rats bite to beat your confidence down. If a person doesn't have the power to tell you yes, how can they have the power to tell you no?  Ha! You think the Love Walk means being a door mat?  Oh please.

If you believe, just do it. Drop the burdens and let Love renew your spirit.  Put your confidence in Christ, not what you have or do. Only YOU control your thoughts, words and actions.  No one can make them happen - that decision is yours.  Leave the rest to God.  It's onward and upward from there, so seize this moment in true thanksgiving.   Don't know where to start?  You can begin by forgiving everybody for everything - especially yourself.


Copyright © 2010 Arkay Evans