PROXIMITY- Thankfulness- FRIDAY

On Monday I promised a special benefit that would come your way if you allow the process of thankfulness to work its way into and through your heart.  It looks like this: Thankfulness begets Forgiveness. Forgiveness begets

Peace. Peace begets Wisdom.  And, Wisdom begets Joy.  Did you realize that God wants you to experience His joy, and a thankful spirit is the key to unlock it?

I know you've heard it before but it is worth repeating.  The world can only give us happiness at best.  But joy comes only from the Lord. Joy is immeasurable by the world's standards.  It just doesn't make sense to them.  Consider this:  How could anyone consider it a joyful thing to endure trials as James mentions in James 1:2-3?  As evidence of this, we see it around the world with even extreme persecution.  It is because a trusting believer who abides in Christ is looking at the end game in his life, not the present difficulty or the process involved.  These hero saints know the promise given in those verses that tell them that a force of steadfastness, which is greater than their trial, will be produced in their life.  This steadfastness will have an effect. I repeat verbatim in James 1:3 what it says: "that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  Man!  Talk about God making a great Man of God through the process He uses.  It makes me want to shout with thanksgiving, "Bring it on Lord!  I trust You.  I know that You will not give me more than I can handle, and You are about to overwhelm me with Your joy!"