Ephesians 5:20 says, Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. It doesn't matter whether life is all sunshine and rainbows and unicorns, or whether it is doom and gloom and darkness - there are always things that you can give thanks to God for. You can give thanks that you have eternal life with him, that his Holy Spirit lives in you, for friends and family, for the Bible...
Some ideas to help foster an attitude of gratitude:
Ephesians 5:19 says, Speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. Paul is contrasting drunkenness with being filled by the Spirit. People who are drunk say all kinds of foolish and inappropriate things. In contrast, praise and worship is what should come from people who are filled with the Spirit.
I believe Paul is talking about communal worship here. We should encourage each other to praise and worship God. It should come from your heart, not just your mouth. Have you been singing in church and realised that your mind was elsewhere (like what you're going to eat for lunch, who else is here, what people are wearing, etc.). If your mind wanders, just bring it back to the lyrics and focus on God, praising him and thanking him for his goodness. Praise and worship is an important part of your Christian life. I have found praise and worship helps lift me out of feelings of being depressed, overwhelmed, angry or sad. It has helped refocus my attention on God, when the world has become too loud and distracting. It has given me peace in the middle of my storms. When can you praise and worship God this week? Either communally at church or small group, or on your own? Conflict is an unavoidable part of life. No one is perfect and we all hurt each other because of our brokenness (yes, even you). Often the things you do and say can make the conflict worse. Ignoring it doesn’t work in the long-term either. Here is what the Bible says about conflict resolution.
Listen carefully and don't get angry quickly You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. James 1:17 Use a gentle tone and kind words A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger. But an unkind answer will cause more anger. Proverbs 15:1 Live in peace Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 Put up with each other and forgive others Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Colossians 3:13 Don't bear grudges Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Ephesians 4:31 God wants us to forgive others like Christ forgave us. Christ has forgiven us a lot, so surely we can forgive someone who has hurt us. Please note, there are some things that will require professional help to work through such as abuse. A counsellor can be very helpful in working through big hurts. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to ask for forgiveness? Ephesians 5:18 says, Don’t get drunk with wine, because it makes you lose control. Instead, keep on being filled with the Spirit. This verse is talking about drunkenness, not just wine. Science backs this up. Here is a list of outcomes from being drunk:
Paul encourages us to be filled with the Spirit instead. I believe this happens by engaging in the Spiritual disciplines - prayer, reading the Bible, fellowship with other believers, worship, fasting, giving, serving, gratitude and confession. What we think, do and say comes from what we are filled with. If we are filled with popular culture, we will think, act and speak like everyone else around us. If we are filled by the Spirit, we will think, act and speak like people who love Jesus. When you are filled with alcohol, it affects your behaviour in a negative way. When you are filled with the Spirit, it affects your behaviour in a positive way. |
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