​  “O our God, we thank You and praise Your Glorious Name!” – 1 Chronicles 29:13 NLT  (http://bible.com/116/1ch.29.13.NLT)

I have so much to be thankful for and to praise GOD for! Think about this: Following Jesus is an oxymoron at times. I thought for years that in order to follow Christ I had to give up something. I was right – I had to give up my life to Him. I thought I had to give up everything that was “fun”…and I did. Ironically, I didn’t give up anything, because I GAINED everything! I gave up my life, only to gain ultimate Life. I gave up partying and chaos, and I gained PEACE – the kind of Peace you’ll never understand without Him. I gave up control, and gained understanding that I was never in control in the first place! I gave up “fun”, and found better fun and enjoyment, the kind that isn’t fleeting, but lasts. 

  Jesus said “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Life can be as great as we can handle if we let God have the reins (or the wheel 😊). Nothing and no one can destroy us when we are in Christ. In this life, there will always be pressures and struggles of all kinds. That’s because the enemy has temporary control over the earth. He does NOT have control over me any longer. I slip and I fall constantly, like I’ve done all my life. I don’t have to struggle back to my feet, pulling myself up, any longer.  I just reach out my hand, and my Lord is waiting with outstretched hand to help me up again. He’s waiting for you to reach out for Him, too.
That’s a lot to be thankful for.