why we should be thankful at all times.....

"If there was ever a secret place for unleashing God's powerful peace, it's developing a heart of true thanksgiving"-Lysa Terkeurst
   During a very awesome and powerful devotion this morning this was something that just settled in my heart.With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, we will all the time find things we are or have been thankful for. Thankfulness is something that should be done and celebrated EVERYDAY. One of 'Webster's' official definitions of thanksgiving is "a public acknowledgement or celebration of devine goodness." When I hear the words DEVINE GOODNESS, I automatically think of God. It is because of His goodness, that we are a very blessed people. Because of His goodness and of course grace, we can live in peace and have an abundant life. Now, how can we celebrate God's devine goodness? In Psalm 116:2, it says "What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me? The answer to that is simply THANKSGIVING. Giving thanks to the Giver. If we would just decide in the midst of our circumstances today to notice something for which we can truly be thankful for, then we are simply saying, "thank you Lord for what all you have done your mercy and grace endures forever" How are we instructed to pray in Philippians 4:6 when we feel anxious? With THANKSGIVING. Around this time of the year I know I tend to become anxious and overwhelmed with a lot. And what is the outcome when thankfulness when it's proclaimed? Peace.........powerful, unexplainable, uncontainable PEACE. Giving thanks is something that should NOT be forced, it should be habitual. It should become so 'unforgetable', that when we do forget to gives thanks that conviction eats us up, and forces us to cry out to God in thanks foe what He has done. We all have something to be thankful for. God has been more that good to us and he deserves to be acknowledge for that. Not only for goodness, but also for His grace, salvation, and most of all for His love. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. -Col.3:15