Where do you go when you’re hungry for happy? Some may turn to food (guilty!). Others may turn to some retail therapy or escaping into a movie or book, leaving the world behind. Actually, guilty on all accounts… 🙁
How about going to God? Asking Him for the happy you are desperate for?
Philippians 4:6 tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Wait!
Did this verse just tell us that we could go to God for EVERYTHING by prayer? Last time I checked, EVERYTHING included happy, so we can pray about wanting to get our happy on… because He is telling us there is nothing we can’t pray for.
I think there is a key part of this verse we tend to overlook, though. Did you catch the “with thanksgiving” part? There are sooooo many times I go to God with a request and/or petition and skip this vital part. You, too? I just move right on to my laundry list of things I want or need or desire.
Here is what that might feel like to us…
“Mom, I want my dinner to be mac-n-cheese.” OR “I need some toothpaste and deodorant from the store next time you go.” OR “Here is a list of things I want for my birthday.”
Yuck. Sound familiar? Do you think this is how we treat God sometimes? We just begin to rattle off things we need… and they aren’t bad or wrong… but something is missing.
Let’s try this again…
“Mom, thanks for always having my favorite food at the house. It really makes me feel special. Would you consider fixing mac-n-cheese for me tonight?” OR “Honey, thanks for running a tight ship at home. It means a lot that you take care of us so well. Next time you’re at the store, would you mind grabbing me some toothpaste and deodorant?”
You get the picture, right? Asking for something with thanksgiving is so much nicer. I bet God agrees.
Yes, I am hungry for happy… and just thinking about “thanking” Him in my prayers puts a smile on my face. I have so much to be happy about and I’d love to tell God all of them.
Here are a few of my happys…
- The smell of babies
- Belly laughs
- Starbucks
- Good, solid, love-me-no-matter-what friends
- Queso (hey, I’m from Texas!)
- Cool, crisp nights
- Purple tulips
What are some of your happys?
This week, why not follow the Biblical example of asking for things “with thanksgiving.” Let me know what happens…
Well, when you put it that way!!! I am just like my kids!!! Ungrateful and demanding and thinking the world revolves around me!!! (Can you tell it’s summertime and I’ve had some kid overload!!?) It’s a good reminder Carey! And I thank you for it!!
One of my favorite perspective-changing activities!
Today’s happies:
cooperative students
built-in exercise at work
peanut butter chip cookies waiting for me at my in-laws!
I’m happy and grateful for:
Honest and forgiving friends
Humor through it all
Great reminders like this
The written word
A card in the mail and it’s not my birthday
An unexpected invitation
Laughter! Lots of laughter! God, please give me more! Thanks!
LOL
I needed all these reminders, Carey. I thank you for sharing! Truly!
Okay…I’m an idiot and just realized you wrote that whole thing. I was thinking…I wonder what website she got that off of because “that was so cool, I want to sign up, too!” And then, I saw it….CareyScottTalks. Wow…I’m in awe! I’m signed up, girlfriend! Now I’ll have to stay up past midnight and read all the rest of them! No…I’m not going to do that…I’ll print them off and read slowly and appreciatively! Letting it all soak into me! God is good to you…for me! Yay God! Yay You!