In life, we will face many disappointments, and one of the most difficult to face is disappointment in relationships. Think about how often people get their feelings hurt, whether it is real or imagined, or have their trust violated. Marriages end in divorce; parents abandon children; people are traded like commodities; long friendships end on a misunderstanding.
There is such hurt in our world and often this is so painful that people end up focusing on that pain and hurt, add to it all the disappointment that comes with it, so that they forget all about the wonderful people who have been and remain a blessing to them.
Satan will use whatever means he can to cause pain, hurt, and personal letdowns; so that we get sidetracked by what one person or group of persons has done to us and forget all about the good things and kind things that others that are in our lives, have done for us. He will cause us to think that we are not loved, make us feel isolated and alone, and abandoned.
Who is in your life today that makes your heart flow with thanksgiving to the Lord? Perhaps you can think of someone or even a group of people that are a real blessing to your life. When you think about them, your heart immediately wells up with tender thoughts of them. Think about it.
I thank my God every time I remember you. (Phil 1:3)
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. (1 Thes 1:2)
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, (Col 1:3)
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. (2 Thes 1:3)
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. (Rom 1:8)
Paul certainly made it his practice to remind people in his life how grateful he was for them, to recognize the blessing and goodness that flowed into his life from them. Sometimes we take the special, good and kind people in our lives for granted and fail to appreciate the rich contribution they make to our lives.
Stop now and make a list of all the people in your life who are special, who are shining sources of joy in your life. Thank God for them.
Nowadays, relationship disappointments are a reality, and relationships often don’t seem to last long. Some of us can count on our fingers people that have been around in our lives for more than a year. People move to another place, some disinvest from the relationship, break commitments, and often people make wrong choices that lead them down a path that we cannot follow, and it scars our hearts.
If you have a friend or group of friends who faithfully follow the Lord and remain steadfast year after year, take the time to tell them what treasured friends they are. Express to them how deeply grateful you are for them and what they mean to you. Don’t assume they already know how you feel!
Friends are like bank accounts, if you have not made a deposit for a while, the account gets frozen and eventually closed. Then when you want to make a withdrawal, you find the funds are just not there. Make a deposit of love in their hearts.
Take the time to write and note, make a call, give them a gift, take them to dinner so that you can remind them how precious they are to you.
Perhaps your February can be a Valentine month for ALL the people you love, a season of being grateful for them. Before you leave today, make a list of a few special people that need to be reminded of your love. Pray for them and thank the Lord for the individual contribution they make in your life.
Then ask the Holy Spirit to give you some creative ideas to express your appreciation for them, who they are, and what they have meant to you in your life.
Thank You, Lord, for the people you have placed in my life and the special blessing they are to me, people who are truly genuine in their faithful, consistent commitment to my family and me. I am sorry that I have previously not appreciated them, or made an effort to let them know how much I appreciate them and how grateful I am for them. Starting now, I ask you to help me think of creative ways to love on them and communicate to these special people my gratitude for all they do and the valuable place they hold in my life.
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