DAY 3: Three Ways to Stay Encouraged
“Return to me” is the call of Joel 2:12-14. Many times in life, there are hard days, even hard seasons. We’ve all been there. It seems as though one bad day, one harsh criticism, or one failure can be all-consuming and cause us to look right past the many good things.
Read Matthew 6:25-34. Take time to note the specific verses that speak to you, even date it in your Bible to reflect on later.
Today, I want you to focus on gratitude. What an amazing word! We have so much to be thankful for! Did you know that your level of gratitude could have a direct effect on your attitude? What are you thankful for?
I believe that we have a choice when it comes to the way we see things. Some people are like thermometers; always alerting us when things aren’t right, and constantly a victim to the “temperature” in the room … which is never perfect. But others are more like thermostats. These people determine the temperature in the room. Their words, actions, and even their thoughts set the atmosphere. Which one are you? As a disciple of Jesus, you bring light to every room you enter. But just like the Bible passage teaches, we can hide that light or we can let it shine.
YOUR TURN
Take a moment to take inventory of all you have to be thankful for. What are the top ten things you are praising God for today?
Look back at this past year. Were you more of a thermometer or a thermostat?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Ask the Lord to search every part of you, and wait on Him in gratitude, prayer, adoration, and worship. He will speak to you if you will take the time to listen. Listen.
FASTING TIP OF THE DAY
Day 3 is always the final day of the “big three” which means that if you can make it through the first three days, the cravings and the headaches start to subside and you will find yourself able to focus more on the things that matter.
For Further Study: Luke 6:40; 1 Peter 2:21; Isaiah 58
Less of Me/More of Him, A 21-Day Fasting Study by Jentezen Franklin