Since last year, I have been listening to Joel Osteen’s podcasts. It is his voice that makes my heart tingle. The moment when his words move me does not choose its location. I give a slight nod of agreement and appreciation and even shed a tear. One of his invaluable messages is to thank God in advance. He suggests that we don’t ask God for what we need but instead praise and thank Him for it.
Joel provides a good example when he promised his daughter that he’ll buy her a car when she reaches a certain age. Rather than ask repeatedly when her father is going to give her the car key, she thanked him every time (in advance) and praises him for being a kind and loving dad.
Now, if you’re the dad, wouldn’t you want to hear these sweet sentiments instead of the constant reminding and begging in a form of nagging to buy her the car? In normal pretenses, I know that most of us would agree.
In the same way, God assures that He’ll give us what we thank Him for at the right time. We just have to take one day at a time and trust Him each step of the way as He performs magic to grant our wish. While waiting, put in mind that He’s busy conforming us continually as He’s not done yet with any of us.
This week has been so much stressful I’m thankful that I had made all work done successfully. I lived through an endless frenetic hustle. Even if I could choose to rest instead of finishing more analysis papers and articles, and even if there was like something facing me at my desk urging to make some excuse to get out of the responsibility, I did a conscious decision to continue forth. I suppose this is because I want to invest my time and efforts to the best of my capacity instead of regretting of not working harder to pay all due duties.
Yes, I don’t have any slight disagreement with the quote “Life is too short to be busy.” But in every hour of these demanding days, I thought that life would only make sense when I finish everything and attain good rewards after. No one has ever guaranteed that this makes sense. I’ll try to make it so.
I have my heart on my sleeve. I can hear each beat. Because of the pressure, every pulse is quickly followed by another one; therefore, I know I’m alive.
I thank God in advance for: MORE QUIET TIMES, THE CAR I WANT TO BUY, SWEET FAMILY VACATIONS, GOOD HEALTH THAT WILL NEVER FAIL ME, MORE PROJECTS UPCOMING and PATIENCE TO WITHSTAND MY CLOCKWORK ROUTINES.
I’m praising God in advance for what is to come and what I know He is able to do.
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