I Thessalonians 5:18: "In every thing give THANKS: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

        Even though Thanksgiving was last week I still wanted to do a post on it because it really is just a great holiday and reminder. I think we all get caught up in the materials of this world and forget the bigger picture. So Thanksgiving is that small reminder for everyone to take a step back and look at life and realize how great it is. We should do that every day but we're all human and forget. A friend on my Facebook posted: "Black Friday- a day in America where people line up outside for hours to trample each other for the cheapest stuff just hours after being thankful for what they already have." So seeing that was humerous but then at the same time eye opening because its like total opposite things and as a country we are all doing them in the same weekend! Well I guess what I'm trying to say is to remember to be thankful as much as you can. Even for things like Patience and trials and when things don't exactly go our way. No one likes someone who is constantly complaining about things so be thankful and Give thanks in everything! :)

 

Joy:

“We must know sorrow to be able to fully appreciate joy. Joy costs pain, but the pain is worth it.” This is a quote by Katie Davis from her book: Kisses from Katie. Unless you have experienced some kind of pain you probably don’t get this saying. But we all live in a broken world full of pain and hurt so I'm sure everyone can relate to this quote in some way. I know in my own personal life sometimes I just focus on all of the pain and hurt that I am going through at that point in time and I don’t appreciate things that bring me joy through that pain or because of it. I feel like I, as a person, always dwell on the negative of this life and never see anything positive and knowing all the good there is out there that is a very selfish and pathetic thing to do. We have no excuse or reason to not be happy or to be angry or mad at anyone or anything. We are so blessed! But in the midst of all of our pain we forget that. So I want to encourage and challenge you through your times of pain. Always keep in mind that there is a reason you are going through this whether it be to make you a stronger person or maybe to encourage someone who is watching the way you handle a situation. But no matter what you’re going through you should always glorify God. And instead of just focusing on all of the pain and negativity of this life be happy and thankful for that joy it brings you and all of the joys of it. Joy is so satisfying! So why not enjoy it?

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:2-4