Sept 29th, 2021: A Thankful Heart

 


Most doctors and counselors would tell us that a grateful heart is a healthier heart.

"Recognizing and giving thanks for the positive aspects of life can result in improved mental, and ultimately physical, health in patients with asymptomatic heart failure, according to research published by the American Psychological Association."

A grateful heart knows how to love as it receives the love of God. It doesn't pretend that life is perfect and is aware that God is with us despite our imperfections. It does not demand others to submit. It continues to learn how to yield to God's teaching.

A grateful heart is a peaceful one. It doesn't seek discord and tension in its relationship with others and searches more deeply in its understanding of forgiveness. It does not depend on external affirmation for its well-being. It knows that it belongs to God, and that is its foundation of peace.

A grateful heart will always discover new ways to appreciate life. It acknowledges that life is a gift from God and needs to be cherished. It is able to see the goodness in others and rejoice with that. It goes about its day not with fear but with the confidence that the day belongs to God.

Philippians 4: 6
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Proverbs 17: 22
"A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones."

Popular posts from this blog

Aug 31st, 2024: Confession

Image
Dealing with pain sometimes affects our ability and flexibility. A physiotherapist friend gave me a set of home exercises to help with that. They are simple yet intense at the same time. Dealing with our human brokenness sometimes affects our ability to see and hear God. Our commitment to spiritual disciplines must be at the core of our relationship with God. One of the disciplines I have been trying to embrace more fully is confession. It’s not just about recognizing where we have gone wrong; it’s about how we have chosen to live our lives independently from God. It’s about whether we truly want God to be part of our lives. The absence of meaningful confession will damage our freedom to experience intimacy with God. "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." - Proverbs 28:13
Read more

Sept 4th, 2024: Praying in Images

Image
It has been a rough few days. Living in immense pain does not allow us much energy to think about anything. I ended up praying in images, and not many words came out of my mouth. Most of the images were of people I know. God knew that I was praying for them as their faces came to my mind. I did not need to mention the circumstances or situations of their lives—He knows. My heart was at peace as I ended my days with these images. He will take care of my body, and I know this because I was able to get some sleep. Tomorrow is in His hands.
Read more

Oct 1st, 2022: Be With Those Who Suffer

Image
  Listening to a young woman who shared her experience of being raped repeatedly by a family member for over four years as a teenager made my heart ache. The man who did that was a leader of a church. He was imprisoned for seven months and released. He was her stepfather. Her mother chose to pick him over her after his release. Her life has changed forever. She had to go to a foster home. Her foster parents helped her with her restoration and her faith in God. Her supervisor at work asked me to see her because someone at work was inappropriate toward her. That triggered many emotions within her. I did not expect the story I heard from her. The meeting took longer than I thought, and it was toward the end of the day. She kept talking about her anger and the pain she felt when men treated her like a subject. I knew that the best I could do was to listen. She told me she had not been able to tell anyone as much as with me. God reminded me of the true calling of being a pas...
Read more