A Confession and an Encouragement.

I had planned on posting about the cold weather and how challenging it was for me but decided not to since everything I tried to write about it was coming out grumpy.  I like to post the positive the good and the amazing and encouraging stuff only.  So I became silent on my page because only complaining language was coming out.  I was getting ill from the stress of the week and really discouraged.  Then I remembered a couple of lines from the Bible:  In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess 5:18.  I started to repeat this over and over and soon I became really happy again and stronger in my body and mind.  I had thought that I was going to get sick but I didn't.  I just changed my thoughts.  I'm grateful for so many things in this cold spell.  I have a home heated by wood which is amazing and that is thanks to my good man.  I have warm clothing and I have the chickens and ducks whom I get to care for.  I'm strong and healthy and still quite young.  I could go on and on and so now I choose to pray for those less fortunate and having real struggles in this cold instead of grumbling about my lot which is actually very good.  Thanks for listening.  Hopefully my experience will help someone else.  But mostly I want to say that it's ok to use the Bible verses in this way.  They are like dry wood on the fire, they burn brightly and warm us all the way through.