Lord, I lay here and take inventory of my trials, oh, that they are and were real to me. They were in no way however serious when I began to compare them to those trials that are experienced by others in this world. I’m not saying this as a way of boasting, but rather a way of acknowledging the truth, to become more aware of your work in my life, and to become more grateful.
Much of my time is praying for the things of today and not praising you for what you have protected me and delivered me from, that I have taken for granted.
I have not experienced:
True poverty
Hunger
Been trafficked
Persecution
Severe sickness
Betrayal
Physical harm or brutality
Imprisonment
Natural disaster
Unexpected loss of a loved one
Lack of resources
Lack of education
Lack of housing or shelter
Lack of clothing
Lack of transportation
Lack of companionship
Lack of family
Lack of friends
Lack of water
Lack of medication
Lack of church and bibles
Lack of opportunities
Lack of breath in my lungs
Blindness
Lord, truth be told, I have an abundance of everything. Lord, please forgive me for not seeing this as it truly is. Your provision, Your doing. You at work in my life. Lord, I’m ashamed at my selfishness for there are so many people who are experiencing the loss or lack of these things. Lord, forgive me for my hoarding. May I see these things in others and give and help and support them. Bring those in need to my attention, Lord. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. These things indeed break your heart, yet also create opportunities for Your children to love and help one another.
As I go about my day today, I see how small and trivial the worries I face or create out of nothing.
Silly examples:
I stress about not losing weight out of my abundance of food.
I stress about paying taxes out of my abundance of income.
I stress about making a sale out of my abundance of opportunities.
Lord, I see that in my abundance because of selfishness and greed to desire more that I sin against You and am not grateful. Forgive me. Lord, change my heart. I love you. Today, I know I can’t do these things I’m about to say without You, but through Your strength I can do these things:
I will praise You today for all your provision and protection.
I will watch what I eat by remembering those who don’t have food to eat.
I will be generous with the resources You have given me, as I remember those in poverty.
I will take physical care of myself out of the abundance of good health You given me.
I will worship You out of my free will that You died for me that I may be free.
I will work with excellence from the gift of employment, education, and opportunities.
I praise You for all my family and friends and church, housing, money, food, and more.
#JustAThought
