Life Plan Devotion #39 [Epiphany]

In my quiet time some time ago, Deuteronomy chapter 28 was the next chapter to read in my Read Through the Bible schedule. Little did I know that I was in for an epiphany (a dramatic realization).
Deuteronomy chapter 28 is a long chapter, 68 verses to be exact. You know how it is sometimes; you read and read and read. Your mind begins to wander. You lose the writer's train of thought, and then you read something and KAPOW! you're hit smack over the head with God's Word. You sit up straight, catch your breath, then let it out slowly and say, "Oh, my!" or "Wow! That's me!"
That is exactly what happened to me, when I read Deuteronomy 28:65-67. There was a perfect description of me...well, of the me I used to be, before God delivered me. Now, I know that Moses was talking to and about the children of Israel, but all of Scripture can be used in a personal way. These are the verses that describe the "pre-deliverance me": "Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. In the morning you will say, 'If only it were evening!' and in the evening, 'If only it were morning!'-because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see" (NIV).
That was me, without exaggeration. I suffered for years from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, restlessness, heart problems with no physical cause, various body aches and pains, etc., and I was never satisfied. Yes, I was a Christian, but my life was lackluster, without daily victory.
After reading those verses and realizing that they described the old me, I recognized that the verses were the "effect"/result in some "cause and effect." So I started backtracking through the chapter, looking for the cause. It must be something terrible, I surmised...some major sin, perhaps.
I found it in a verse that begins with the cause and effect conjunction "because." Verse 47 says, "Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity," and that comes down to one word--ingratitude.
Have you ever considered what a daily diet of ingratitude, not being grateful or expressing gratitude, can do to you over time? Now you know. Trust me, it's not where you want to go.
I challenge you to pay attention to your daily life and everyone in it. See all for which and for whom you should be grateful. Thank God, and thank those people in your life. You will be healthier and happier, if you do.

I Thessalonians 5:18 [NIV]
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

What this has to do with weight loss: It is so tempting to grumble about many things on the weight-loss journey, like dealing with a stall or having to eat a certain way, but a daily diet of ingratitude does not serve your mind, body, and heart well. No matter what's going on, be thankful, and see how your body reacts.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, all too often I forget to thank You in all circumstances. That does not serve me well, and ingratitude is not in Your will for me. Help me to open up my heart and mind to gratitude. I desire a thankful spirit. May I be the child who comes to You often, just to say, 'Thank You, Father.' I pray, in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, giving thanks in all circumstances.

Psalms for Surgery is a CD full of precious promises of health, healing, and wholeness, spoken quietly, with beautiful background music. You will feel gratitude well up inside you, as you listen to this CD. For sample sound bites, visit http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.