Give thanks!!

I have found in situation after situation that giving thanks to God is more then a nice thing or something I have to do. It renews your mind, gives you new perspective and is a perfect soil for God to work with. Countless times I have been in situations where I don't feel hopeful or joyful. We don't always have to have a smile on our faces of course, that is not what God is asking for. However, dwelling in hopelessness is not ok either. So in times where I feel discouraged I try to proclaim who God is, and be thankful. Actually speaking out the truth and reminding myself what God has done and is doing. Also, proclaiming His promises. What He wants to do. What is heaven saying!! Who does God say you are? We can determine reality. We can change things. God has more for you. 

I remember coming home from Peru when I was in Australia the first time, I was discouraged. I had an amazing experience as a whole, but current hardships were blinding me from hope. I was culture shocked, burnt out, I had head lice, friends and family had dies while I was overseas, I wasn't the healthiest, and I was soon leaving Australia to go back to the states. My heart was in need of some help. I remember sitting down with a friend and I just began proclaiming all the amazing things God had brought me through and taught me. I cried so hard, but I remember how much of a difference that made. It gave me new courage and hope. What is bigger, your hard circumstance, or the faithfulness of God. He is good!!!

 Psalm 118

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”

⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
⁷ The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹¹ They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹² They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹³ I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.

¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
¹⁶     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
¹⁷ I will not die but live,
    and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
¹⁸ The Lord has chastened me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
¹⁹ Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰ This is the gate of the Lord
    through which the righteous may enter.
²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

²² The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
²³ the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

²⁵ Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.
²⁷ The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.