Prayer & Fasting 2022 // Day 9

Willie Perez

January 25, 2022

As I entered the New Year I had a few interesting conversations with God. I mentioned to God that if there was anything I needed to change this coming year or anything I needed to do more of what would it be? If there was something I needed to grab ahold of a bit more in 2022 what was it? and after a few days of reflection and a few days of just listening to what he would say he impressed on my heart the word; "Thankfulness". 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(ESV)

“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I know I mentioned it a lot in the last few months but last year brought on many transitions and if I can be completely transparent, as great as I thought these transitions would be I didn't anticipate how difficult and challenging they would also be. towards the end of the year, I found myself in a place where I lacked joy. So in lacking joy, I became grumbly, complain-y and just unhappy. Instead of doing a self-evaluation of myself, I chose to blame everything else on why I lacked joy. I chose to become ungrateful for opportunities, relationships, and the things God had provided instead of walking in Joy and gratitude (Thankfulness). 

There will be many moments where we feel we have the right to grumble, be unhappy, or just be complainy but, it's in these moments is where I truly believe our attitude of gratitude needs to kick in as difficult as it may be because The DNA of Joy is Thankfulness. As I walk in this way of Thankfulness then Joy will begin to develop. The Bible is clear that the Joy of the Lord is my strength. If I chose to walk in Thankfulness then I will be strong to face all that comes my way in 2022 and will have Joy in doing so. 

Nehemiah 8:10 

“..And do not be grieved, for the joy of The Lord is your strength.”