WHEN ESTRELLA SAW that difficult times lay ahead for her and her family, she began to pray to God systematically. Day after day, she bowed down on her knees to ask Him for mercy. Indeed, she had to live through serious problems just as she had expected, but she felt peace at all times. Thus, she decided to change her tactics: instead of only asking, she began to center her daily prayer son giving thanks to God for everything. That increased her faith. It helped her to see the presence of God more clearly in her life in spite of the difficulties, and it encouraged her to go into In gratitude to the Lord, Estrella decided to visit the most remote areas of her country, where the people had little access to health services and education, so she could not only take medical care, but also preach the gospel.
Living thankfully is living a faith that goes into action. Only when I learn to give thanks to God because I trust fully that what comes in my path is what is best for my salvation can I say like the apostle Paul, «Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus»(Philippians 4:6, 7). That peace in spite of the difficulties, which comes from a life of faith and thankfulness, is what allows me to think about my neighbor and do something for him or her. In that way, the blessings that I myself have received can bless someone else. Faith, thanksgiving, service—these three key pieces of the Christian experience are closely related.
The apostle Paul also said, «Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him» (Colossians 3:17). Word and deed are the two ways in which we show what there is in our hearts. What will your words and your deeds be like today? Will they make it clear that you live grateful to the Lord because you trust that He will direct each one of your steps? Then, change that peace that you enjoy into blessings for others.
«In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you»(1 Thessalonians 5:18).