When You Thank God

It happens all the time. You realize that you need God for something so you call out to Him in your prayers for that one moment of mercy. You pray that He would look at you and cause your trouble to fade into the distance, and for a brief moment you forget your struggle. For that brief moment, your life is totally in focus and all you realize God has never forgotten you. You smile to yourself knowing how much God loves you, and you have two choices.

At that moment when everything is perfectly clear, you feel empowered by God’s blessing and you “charge full steam ahead” with your plans for the future. You forget that just moments ago you were calling out to God for mercy. You forget that just moments ago you weren’t sure where your life would end up. You forget that moments ago all you could think about was the struggle that consumed you. You forget that it was God that blessed you.

or...

At that moment when everything is perfectly clear, you suddenly realize that it wasn’t an accident that you can see clearly. You suddenly realize that just moments ago you didn’t know how you would solve the problems that consume you. You suddenly realize that just moment ago you were calling on God. You suddenly realize that God has blessed you.

There isn’t much difference between forgetting that God blessed you, and realizing just how much He has blessed you because He blesses you whether or not you remember Him. He blesses you whether or not you give Him credit. He blesses you whether or not you return to thank Him. But when you thank Him, you get an additional blessing. When you thank Him you are made well; you are healed from what really affects you.

When you thank God, rather than just receiving His blessing and going about your day, you are raised up to heaven to participate in God’s great joy. When thank God, you are able to continue on your journey to heaven free from the burden and temptations of the world. When you thank God, you are no longer a foreigner, but a member of God’s family, His chosen people.

Today I want you to know that God has reached out and healed you just because you asked. You now have two choices. When you go home, will you forget that it was God had made everything clear, or will you realize how much God loves you? Will you charge ahead or thank God? It is your choice to make, but you should remember that it is only those who remember to thank Him who are made well. It is only those who return to God after He blesses who hear the word, “Your faith has made you well.”