Do you have family members or friends who only reach out when they need something from you? How do they make you feel? Does it affect your relationship with them?
If the relationship consistently lacks mutual benefit and is heavily one-sided, it could understandably lead to feelings of being used or taken for granted. This kind of dynamic can strain and potentially weaken relationships over time, as trust and mutual support are essential for healthy connections.
How does that compare to when you go to God? Are you only making time for Him when you’re in desperate need?
Reflection on our relationship with God is necessary to be mindful not only of turning to Him during storms to ask for help, but also of thanking Him daily, moment by moment, for the breath in our lungs and all that He has given us. Not only that, but we are to thank God in all circumstances (1 Thes. 5:18, ESV), not just the good ones.
In the Bible Reading Plan, Yellow Balloons: Perspective in the Valley, Tim Dunn offers this insight, “We are demanding blessings without any real knowledge of The Blesser.” He follows that up with a powerful question of what it would look like for us to truly pursue God for who He is – The One who can give us more than we could ever imagine.
Ultimately, God reigns and can turn any circumstance for the better (Rom. 8:28). This is where trust and faith are paramount but can only be experienced through an intimate relationship with our Father and a heart that seeks after God in all things.
Just as consistent communication and appreciation nurture human relationships, cultivating a regular practice of thankfulness can deepen our spiritual connection.
Challenge: Be aware of how many times you acknowledge God this week and express your gratitude to Him. Gratitude isn’t just a response to significant events but a continuous posture of the heart. A grateful heart knows many blessings.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes. 5:18, ESV, Emphasis added).
“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jer. 29:13, NLT, Emphasis added).
Faith Walk Ministries, Inc. 