Knowing God - 2 Corinthians 1:10

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He who rescued us

from so deadly a peril

will continue to rescue us;

on him we have set our hope

that he will rescue us again

2 Corinthians 1:10

 

One of the secrets to happiness is ... thanksgiving.

 

Instead of constantly bemoaning the frustrations, happiness and joy come through a celebration of life's blessings. In fact, I've seen some happy people make an ongoing list of all the things they're thankful for.

 

Apparently, hope works the same way.

 

In our verse for today, Paul has a made a list of all the things that God has rescued him from. For example, in verses 8 and 9, he talks about "the affliction we experienced in Asia." He says, "we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself."

 

Nevertheless, Paul saw spiritual fruit in the midst of human desperation. "So that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead," Paul says that they were given a "sentence of death." Have you ever been there? From a human standpoint, have things ever seemed utterly hopeless?

 

Paul's ongoing list of life's desperate trials (and God's gracious rescues) leads him to proclaim to himself -- and to you and me -- that "on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again."

 

For the sake of joy ... for the sake of hope ... why don't you make a list today?! Think of every way that God has blessed you and rescued you. Thank him for the big things and ask him to give you eyes to see the little things. He's more present and powerful than you might imagine.

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who'd rather make this list

and check it twice

than to worry about who's

been naughty or nice

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Does that really work? I have tried before and then end up feeling guiltier and more worthless than before for not being thankful enough. for being so depressed for now good reason. And then I am guilty of not being able to see the good and hope that others say is all around.  Does it really work?