I Choose to Rejoice in the Lord: Gratitude Is an Act of Power
How do we still rejoice in these dark times? This post will explore the "choice" of gratitude.
Introduction - Rejoicing in the End Times
Most reading can see the world is pretty bleak, but this is a reminder that we must first come out of Babylon in order to truly appreciate and rejoice, even in times of darkness. Babylon is not just physical - it is spiritual, and many are trapped in a Babylonian mindset.
To simplify, over the years, many have obsessed over "where" Babylon is located, not understanding the Bible explains that your body is the temple of God. The Holy Spirit dwells in us, and that means, the Babylonian Spirit can dwell in us, too. Yes, Babylon is physical, geographical, and even historical - most know that. However, it is also spiritual, and we must "come out of her."
Therefore, if we are to examine Babylon on a spiritual level, it would manifest these qualities:
2 Timothy 3
3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
The Babylonian spirit involves materialism, lust, selfishness, greed, self-obsession, hatred, vengeance, brutality, and so many other evil qualities. One quality often not spoken of is this: a lack of gratitude.
The modern Babylonian is incredibly ungrateful - more so than any other time in history. Nearly everyone in the first world has their foundational needs met, yet they are rarely satisfied:
What is the spirit of complaint that has taken over the first world? Exodus reminds us, "We complain because we forget."
Steven Lee writes, "I am stunned every time I read the story of the exodus. How can the people of Israel complain like they do? How could they be so ignorant, so stupid, so forgetful?
The God of the universe had just tossed around the most powerful man on the face of the earth like a toddler with a rag doll. God didn’t just humble Pharaoh; he broke his spirit and revealed Pharaoh’s impotence. A slave people and their God left him and his nation in shambles. This display of power sent vibrations throughout the world, inspiring fear and awe."
There is nothing new under the sun, and history certainly repeats itself. Today, most people, including Christians, have adopted a spirit of complaint, very rarely truly thanking the Lord for their circumstances.
A few years ago, I had a dream. I was teaching a class, and the lesson was, "Gratitude is an act of power."
Since then, I have pondered on this statement and realized its truth. It's easy to say gratitude is important, but why does it actually empower us?
It's all about choice. Going back to Habakkuk 3:17 - 19 at the beginning of this post, the message is clear - though everything has fallen, the narrator chooses to rejoice in the Lord.
When we choose gratitude, it represents the power of choosing God. This choice represents our free will to ultimately choose love, and therefore, choose Jesus Christ.
Most of the time, things feel pretty out of control. As I'm writing this, India and Pakistan are about to go war, and there are rumors and warnings about shortages coming to America. There is so much evil to write about, but today, I am choosing to rejoice in the Lord.
This choice empowers me, don't you see? This act of gratitude becomes my power.
This can be applied in any situation. Perhaps your husband or wife made something slightly too spicy for dinner. You can still choose to enjoy it, can't you - and appreciate what they did for you. Maybe your day didn't go your way. You can still choose to focus on the positive aspects of it and reflect on what went well. Maybe you do have problems, but you can choose to be grateful for the food you ate, the warm bed you're sleeping in, and so much more.
This choice is empowering.
The other choice is a spirit of complaint - to see the negative in everything and never embrace the beauty. There is a middle ground - to remain neutral or apathetic - still, I say choosing gratitude is the choice of empowerment.
Moreover, gratitude is not only good for your attitude but it's good for your health. Grateful people live longer, according to Harvard. Ultimately, it improves your mental and physical health, and according to the Bible, your spiritual health.
There is no doubt that the world is growing increasingly dark, and surely, I will update readers on the events of the world. However, every moment we have a choice. If we choose gratitude, we empower ourselves. We stand in awe of our enemies. Satan flees from us.
Gratitude is all about empowerment in our Lord Jesus Christ. Babylon is not grateful, and therefore, do not let the evil Babylonian spirit of complaint dwell in your temple. Today, choose gratitude, which draws you closer to Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
May God uplift every reading in Jesus's name. Thank you for reading this blog. I am incredibly grateful that you are alive and reading this, and I am incredibly thankful for you. I mean it.
Thank you Jesus,
Lisa