It has been sixteen days since I started writing in a prayer journal. The intention was to help me get my anxious thoughts out of the way so I could see what I should make a priority each day. Even with this purpose in mind I knew I should begin with praise and thanksgiving as instructed by scripture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭4‬ ‭CSB

And here—

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.‬‬

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭AMP

But to be honest, thankfulness doesn’t come easily to me first thing in the morning. My problems are first on my mind. I tend to soak in my own pity pool.

But God is not silent and I have some good stuff that came out of spending time with him.

Yesterday I was feeling defeated, like I would be starting my week in a hole I had dug for myself—playing catch-up on my goals. This is what I wrote: You want me to learn from you, yet even as I come to write in my journal I am finding it too easy to fall into complaints instead of worship… I won’t give up because you don’t give up on me. And this was the scripture he brought to mind—

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

This verse fell in line with what I’ve been reading and hearing about God’s faithfulness. I, for one, am very thankful for his faithfulness.

Let me take you to more verses God has reminded me of this week.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: His faithful love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34, also Psalms 106:1, 107:1, 118:1, 136:1 NLT

Not only is God faithful, but he is good and loving.

My pastor is teaching on Psalm 23. When verse six was displayed on the screen my spirit latched on.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT

Read that first part again. His goodness and unfailing love pursues me! Other translations say, “goodness and mercy shall follow me.” I see it in my mind, if I haven’t been finding God’s goodness in my life, it’s because I’ve run ahead of him. But the comforting fact is he has goodness and love in store for me.

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.‬‬

Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT

And—

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”‬‬

Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT

This well known verse has more meaning to me when I see it together with these other verses.

Why am I thankful? I may stumble, my anxieties may hold sway, but God is always faithful and good. He has lovingly planned good things for me and will pursue me until his will for my life comes to fruition.

He pursues you too.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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