How would you fill in these blanks?
Today, I have to ______________________________. Today, I get to _______________________________.

If I was filling these in today, my list would look something like this; I have to buy groceries, clean house, exercise, run errands. I get to go shopping, watch a movie, have lunch with friends.

All my “have” to’s are categorized as requirements, obligations and perhaps drudgery. However, my “get” to’s are fun, privileges and enjoyable. Wouldn’t it be nice if our “have” to’s felt enjoyable like “get” to’s? They can.

The other day I saw a post that changed all of that for me.  It simply changed one word.  By changing “have” into “get,” it changed my perspective.  Now, when I look at my list I think;

I “get” to buy groceries.
I “get” to clean house.
I “get” to exercise.
I “get” to run errands.

DOES THAT SOUND CRAZY?

By changing that one word, it reminded me that I was not always able to do the things on my list.  You see, for a number of years I had chronic fatigue syndrome which stole my energy and strength. Looking at my list as “have” to’s meant that I had lost sight of the gift God gave me when He healed me.  Now, I can be grateful that He gave me back the ability to “get” to do the normal things in life.

Perhaps you are thinking, “I’m healthy so that doesn’t apply to me.”   Whether you have experienced a similar situation or not, isn’t life still a gift?  Isn’t it a blessing to have a job which provides money to buy groceries?  The muscles to exercise or even get out of bed?

When we change our perspective from “have” to into “get” to, our hearts become grateful.  That gratitude produces joy.

I HEAR THE BUTS.

“But you don’t know how awful my boss treats me.”
“But you don’t know how hard it is to scrape together money for food.”
“But my health is poor.”

You are right. I don’t know what you are experiencing. What I do know is that through the Lord we can have joy in the midst of turmoil. He is greater than anything we encounter.

But thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 15:57

Some things are more difficult to be thankful for. I get it.  Nevertheless, the scripture instructs us to be thankful.

In everything give thanks;
 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,
 1 Thessalonians 5:18

It doesn’t say give thanks only if things are “get” to’s or easy.  Umm.  Why would God say that?  Could it be because He knows that when we face even difficult things in thankfulness, it can produce joy?

The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.  The thief, Satan, wants to steal our joy. He wants to destroy our gratitude so that everything becomes drudgery. However, Jesus came so that we would have abundant life. Abundant is defined in the Greek as; “beyond measure, exceedingly.”¹  We can have joy beyond measure.

 The thief does not come except to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy.
 I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly,
 John 10:10

MULTIPLICATION

Tabgha, Israel, where Jesus fed the 5,000.

Mosaic floor in church in Tabgha.

Remember the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000?  He took 5 loaves and 2 fish which multiplied to feed 5,000.

Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.
And He took the five loaves and the two fish,
and looking up to heaven,
He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples;
and the disciples gave to the multitudes.
So, they all ate and were filled,
and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained,
Matthew 14:19-20

Before distributing the food, what did Jesus do? He gave thanks.

YOU NEVER KNOW
HOW A LITTLE THANKS
WILL MULTIPLY THE BLESSINGS.

WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE JOY OR DRUDGERY IN YOUR LIFE?

It takes faith to trust the Lord to turn our feelings of drudgery into joy.  Won’t you take that step of faith today?

We can start by picking one or two things and thanking the Lord that we “get” to do them today.  Whatever you choose to start with, things may come up to remind us why it feels like drudgery.  Take the bull by the horn and counteract that with your thankful words and God’s word. They have power.

It may take time, but the battle is worth the fight.  In the end you will find a new perspective that brings you joy.

WOULDN’T WE ALL BENEFIT
 FROM A LITTLE MORE JOY IN OUR LIVES?

REFLECTION

What “have” to can you change to a “get” to today?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I write 1 Thessalonians 5:13 and say it aloud, remind me to be thankful.  Give me insight to see the blessings so that my “have” to’s become “get” to’s.  Thank You Lord, for your showing me joy.  In Jesus name. Amen.

BY FAITH “HAVE” TO’S BECOME JOYFUL “GET” TO’S

May your day be filled with love and laughter,

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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/

1 Strongs Concordance #4053
Photo magnifying, Jade87
Photo smile, frown, Moonbhuyan
Photo boys, Lori Heron