Max Lucado Daily Devotional

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Worry happens when we keep our problems to ourselves or present our problems to the puny deities of money, muscle, or humankind. The act of prayer moves us from a spirit of concern to a spirit of gratitude. Even before our prayers are answered, our hearts begin to change. So take these steps:

Peace happens when we pray.

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The prophet Daniel discovered how seriously God takes our prayers. Daniel was troubled. He resolved to pray. After three weeks, Daniel saw a man with a belt of gold around his waist. His face was like lightning, his eyes on fire. Daniel was so stunned he fell to the ground. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven…” (Daniel 10:12 NLT).

The moment Daniel began praying, the answer was issued. Demonic forces blocked the pathway of the angel, and the impasse lasted a full three weeks. Have you prayed and heard nothing? If so, I beg you, don’t give up. You have been heard in heaven. Angelic armies have been dispatched. Just keep praying. Heaven has helpers for you.

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Paradise is not promised until Jesus returns. Peace, joy, and absence of pain are promises of the future, not of the present. Sin is still epidemic, but the cure is coming.

Christ predicted bad news. He told us things are going to get bad before they get better. And when conditions worsen, “See to it that you are not alarmed” (Matthew 24:6 NIV). The only time we should get scared is when something surprises God. If something takes God by surprise, we are doomed. But since God knows all things, we are comforted.

The same God who has the power of omniscience (knowing everything) also has the power of omnipresence (being multipresent) and omnipotence (having all power). That trinitarian trifecta is unstoppable. All problems are too small in the shadow of God.

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“Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, ‘The Lord be magnified!’”  (Psalm 40:16 NKJV).

The grateful heart is like a magnet sweeping over the day, collecting reasons for gratitude. For the jam on our toast and the milk on our cereal. For the joke that delights us and the warm sun that reminds us of God’s love. For the men who didn’t cheat on their wives. For the wives who didn’t turn from their men. For the kids who, in spite of unspeakable pressure to dishonor their parents, decided not to do so. Thank You Lord.

To reflect on your blessings is to rehearse God’s accomplishments. To rehearse God’s accomplishments is to discover his heart. To discover his heart is to discover not just good gifts but the good Giver.

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I was flying home when a snowstorm delayed my arrival in Dallas. I raced to catch the final flight of the night for San Antonio. I asked the attendant, “Are any seats left?” She looked at her computer screen. “No. I’m afraid we are going to have to bump you up to first class. Do you mind if we do that?” Color me thankful.

Not every passenger was appreciative. A fellow across the aisle was angry. “I paid extra to fly first class. I want another pillow!” On the other side of the aisle, yours truly smiled. One passenger grumbled; the other was grateful. The difference? The crank paid his way into first class. My seat was a gift.

Thankful people focus less on the pillows they lack and more on the privileges they have. On which side of the aisle do you find yourself?

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“I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV).

God does not need our help, counsel, or assistance. (Please repeat this phrase: “I hereby resign as ruler of the universe”). And when he is ready for us to reengage, he will let us know. Until then, replace anxious thoughts with grateful ones.

God takes thanksgiving seriously. Here’s why: gratitude keeps us focused on the present. Worry takes a meat cleaver to our thoughts, energy, and focus. Anxiety chops up our attention. Anxiety takes our attention from the right now and directs it “back then” or “out there.” But when you aren’t focused on your problem, you have a sudden availability of brain space. Use it for good.

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God provides so many ways for us to grow in gratitude. Unfortunately, our attempts often follow this pattern: Find something negative in everything you see. Make a list of all the critical and unhappy thoughts that come into your mind. Notice how you feel when you are finished, and write those feelings down. Not much fun. A steady diet of critical, negative, ungrateful thoughts leaves us critical, negative, and ungrateful.

Now try the opposite approach: Find something positive in everything you see. Make a list of all the kind, generous, and grateful thoughts that come into your mind. And notice the difference.

What if this exercise became a way of life? Nobody other than you has the power to make you miserable and unhappy. This simple exercise will place your mind in a healthy posture of gratitude.

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My friend Jerry has taught me the value of gratitude. His dear wife, Ginger, battles Parkinson’s disease. What should have been a wonderful season of retirement has been marred by multiple hospital stays, medication, and struggles. Yet Jerry never complains. I asked Jerry his secret. He said, “Every morning Ginger and I sit together and sing a hymn. I ask her what she wants to sing. She always says, ‘Count Your Many Blessings.’ So we sing it.”

Look at your blessings. Do you see any? Do you see any friends? Family? Grace from God? The love of God? Any abilities or talents? As you look at your blessings, take note of what happens. Anxiety grabs his bags and slips out the door.  Worry refuses to share the heart with gratitude. Focus more on what you do have and less on what you don’t.

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Declare with David: “[I will] daily add praise to praise. I’ll write the book on your righteousness, talk up your salvation the livelong day, never run out of good things to write or say” (Psalm 71:14-15 MSG).

Gratitude is a mindful awareness of the benefits of life. Studies have linked the emotion with a variety of positive effects. Grateful people tend to be more empathetic and forgiving of others. People who keep a gratitude journal are more likely to have a positive outlook on life. Gratitude improves self-esteem and enhances relationships, quality of sleep, and longevity. If it came in a pill form, gratitude would be deemed “the miracle cure.” It’s no wonder, then, that God’s anxiety therapy includes a large, delightful dollop of gratitude.

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