This past week had several challenges for me. Nothing earth shattering but still challenging. Recently I was diagnosed with a condition called “strabismus” in my right eye, which was the cause of my double vision I experienced when I was driving or had to focus on far away things. (Click here to listen to this devotional.)

To address this, I received a pair of special glasses that have aligned my eyes and so these activities have become a bit easier. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been driving in my town fairly easily, but this week I had to drive on the highway.

On top of this “first,” the weather forecast was not looking pretty. Flood watches filled my phone alerts, and I considered cancelling my appointments, but then God stepped in.

First, a fellow church member and friend offered to drive me if I was too a-scared.
Second, the morning of my first appointment, the weather completely cleared up, and I decided to drive myself.
Third, the trip was easy peasy – no traffic! For a major highway in Connecticut, that’s a miracle!
Fourth, the appointments went smoothly and I got some additional information about this condition.
Fifth, I got to spend a little time with my daughter who lives close to the doctor’s office.

It may be tempting to think that this was “the luck of the draw,” but I know better. I had people praying for me and I had the Word of God telling me He would take care of me. And He did.

I think sometimes we don’t give God the credit He is due. We attribute the “wins” we experience to luck or timing or something we did. Yet, the Bible tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God so who should get the credit for the good things in our lives? Yep…God!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

How different would our lives be if we took a few moments each day – or even throughout the day – to thank God for all He has done or is doing in our lives? Nothing touches God’s heart more than a heart filled with gratitude.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 135:1-3 NIV)

Let’s face it. There’s ALOT of negativity in the world and it’s easy to get caught up in it and head to the pity party. Believe me, I’ve been there and done that far too often than I care to admit.

But the more we focus on the negative things, the more downtrodden we will feel. Yet God’s Word tells us to focus on God’s goodness, not on our circumstances.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Psalm 42:5 NKJV)

When I arrived home after my appointments and realized that I had gotten to and from safely and easily, I had to praise God for answering my prayer, for putting amazing people in my life who would pray for me and offer to help me, and for providing affordable and do-able solutions to deal with this condition for now.

I didn’t do any of this. HE did. And I’m so glad I didn’t miss the opportunity to give Him all the credit.

This week, I’d like to encourage you to slow down, notice where God is moving in your life and give thanks to Him. I’m confident that this will turn your frown upside down!