Gratitude // Week 3 // Life’s Secret Code

Gratitude // Week 3 // Life’s Secret Code

1. Don’t relive the past, instead kill it.

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

18 “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:25 (NASB)

25 "I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
 

2.  Don’t resent the present, instead embrace it.

Psalm 118:24 (ESV)

24 This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I Samuel 1:8-11 (MSG)

8 Her husband Elkanah said, “Oh, Hannah, why are you crying? Why aren’t you eating? And why are you so upset? Am I not of more worth to you than ten sons?” 9-11 So Hannah ate. Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly, and entered the sanctuary. The priest Eli was on duty at the entrance to God’s Temple in the customary seat. Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. Then she made a vow: Oh, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,

If you’ll take a good, hard look at my pain, If you’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me. By giving  me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.

3.  Don’t rehearse the future, instead bless it.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

1 Samuel 2 (MSG)

2 Hannah prayed: I’m bursting with God-news! I’m walking on air. I’m laughing at my rivals. I’m dancing my salvation. 2-5 Nothing and no one is holy like God, no rock mountain like our God. Don’t dare talk pretentiously—not a word of boasting, ever! For God knows what’s going on. He takes the measure of everything that happens. The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces,  while the weak are infused with fresh strength. The well-fed are out begging in the streets for crusts,  while the hungry are getting second helpings. The barren woman has a houseful of children, while the mother of many is bereft. 6-10 God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up. He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives—a place in the sun! For the very structures of earth are God’s; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. No one makes it in this life by sheer muscle! God’s enemies will be blasted out of the sky, crashed in a heap and burned. God will set things right all over the earth, he’ll give strength to his king, he’ll set his anointed on top of the world! 11 Elkanah went home to Ramah. The boy stayed and served God in the company of Eli the priest.

Questions:

1. What strategies do you utilize to refrain from dwelling on painful past memories? What have been your experiences?

2. What are elements of the present that bring you stress and/or anxiety? How do you manage those feelings?

3. How do you approach the future? When you think about tomorrow or even further on, what is your immediate reaction?