Step Out of Your Tent

Several years ago, I asked the Lord, “Why don’t I have exciting, special things happen in my life anymore?”

God spoke to my heart and said, “Joyce, I still do those things all the time. You have just gotten used to it.”

God wants us to live amazed by His goodness in our lives...to actively take notice of the truly wonderful things He does for us. Why? Because when we live amazed, our hearts are filled with gratitude. It also builds our faith and gives us hope for the future.

Let’s look at the story of Abraham...

God had blessed Abraham abundantly. However, there was one thing that he and his wife, Sarah, didn’t have—a child. Abraham said, ...Lord God, what can You give me, since I am going on [from this world] childless...?

And He [God] brought him outside [his tent into the starlight] and said, Look now toward the heavens and count the stars—if you are able to number them. Then He said to him, So, shall your descendants be (Genesis 15:2, 5 AMPC).

Although Abraham’s circumstances looked overwhelming, the Lord brought him out of his tent to amaze him and remind him that He can do the impossible.

I believe we can all spend too much time “in our tent,” looking at our own problems. And when we do, it can slowly drain our joy and make things seem worse than they really are. That’s why the Bible says to look away from all that will distract unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2).

Every time we decide to pray, read His Word or simply dwell on the great things He has done for us in the past, it produces hope. And, like Abraham, we soon begin thinking, Wow, maybe He can do this for me!

God Is in Every Detail

Psalm 139:1-4 says, You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely (NIV).

When life gets difficult, it’s easy to feel like God isn’t anywhere to be found. However, Psalm 139 teaches us that God is thinking about us constantly. He knows when we sit and stand. He even knows what we’re going to say before we say it!

God is involved in every detail of our lives, but we can miss it if we don’t stop and take notice.

In recent years, I have developed a habit of purposely being thankful for something in my life every day. And the more I do it, the more my eyes are opened to just how much God does for us.

For instance, I’ll say things like, “God, thank You for the people in my life. My daughter stopped by at just the perfect time today to help me with my project, and it made such a difference.”

Or, “Father, thank You that I have clean water to drink. And thank You for the opportunity to provide safe, healthy water for others around the world.” 

And regardless of whatever else is happening in our lives, the greatest thing we can be thankful for is God—that we know Him and that He sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins!

You see, developing a grateful heart is one of the most powerful things we can do. It shifts our focus off our problems and everything we don’t have, and it helps us focus on all of the wonderful things we do have and how God is constantly working.

I challenge you to begin actively taking notice of what God is doing in your life—the little things, big things and everything in-between. When you’re tempted to complain or get upset, take a moment to stop and thank Him for something He has done. Spend time in His Word and let Him remind you of the priceless blessings you have as His child.

When times are tough and you feel discouraged, it’s time to “step outside the tent” and see what God has to say. When you do, you’ll find that He is just waiting to amaze you.