Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17 NKJV)
I read this verse today, and I felt very convicted. I’m utterly horrible at living out this verse. I overlook so many good things in my life and instead focus on the bad things. When something goes wrong, I automatically forget the millions of things that have gone right. During my devotions, I can’t even think of 10 things to be thankful for…yet I can easily think of 10 things to complain about.
Lately, I’ve been feeling discouraged because of my unsuccessful search for a job. I’ve wanted to get a job for about eight months, and I finally have enough time to get one because school is over.
Even though I’ve turned in several job applications, I haven’t yet been hired. Why do all of my friends have jobs but I don’t?
I actually do have a couple cleaning jobs and also babysit sometimes. But my negative mind doesn’t tend to remember the jobs I have. Those jobs are good gifts from above.
I’ve also been frustrated lately because I still don’t know what I want to do with my life. I’ve been praying about it, but I’m tired of praying because it doesn’t seem to be doing any good. I don’t know where there’s a good and perfect gift in this situation. Maybe the gift is learning that I can’t have everything I want when I want it (which is a super important lesson to learn).
Even in my discouragement, I know that I’m not forgotten by God—which is a good and perfect gift in and of itself!
I can’t drown in self-pity when life doesn’t go my way. God has given me a million things to be thankful for, and I need to express gratitude for them. I have to remember the good and perfect gifts. We all do.
I encourage you to spend time every day to thank God for 10 (of the many!) gifts that He has given you. Life might start looking a little brighter.
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