by Dina Gonsar

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” — Colossians 2:6-7

In this chapter of Colossians Paul is urging believers to be rooted in Christ so they are not deceived by false teachers. Not to get caught up in the way society tells you to live, or respond to “peer pressure.” He warns them not to be deceived by arguments that seem “reasonable.” We are inundated daily with so many opinions, often unsure of the facts. The messages are loud and conflicting; however, they cause us to question our own beliefs. We can fall into constantly assessing and reassessing where we stand. It makes our spirit restless, causes us to strive for things maybe we shouldn’t, get angry about things that we don’t have to be angry about. Then comes the spirit of grumbling. I have been caught there many times. Once you are on that train it can be one way ticket to never ending discontentment.

Consider what you are rooted in and what you are trying to build up too. Or maybe if you are trying to build or grow at all. Sometimes we are rooted in conflict, in wanting our own way. We have rooted ourselves in our careers or finances. Therefore, we are only happy and thankful during the prosperous times. Are you rooted in a relationship, placing too much pressure on the other person or people involved? If we tie our happiness to others we are bound to be very disappointed and frustrated often. When we find, ourselves discontent and reaching for empty solutions we should step back and ask God to reveal to us where we are rooted. Is there an area of life we need to dig up and let him re-plant? Do we need to be spending more time with him, watering our souls? Less time watching Netflix? Is he calling us to spend more time with our families, instead of saying yes to every social event? When we find, ourselves searching for a thankful spirit it may be time to take inventory of where you have been laying down your roots lately.

Being rooted in Jesus, is trusting in him, depending on him. When a tree has good strong roots, and is properly cared for it bears fruit. When we root ourselves in God, his promises, and his word we are bound to bear fruit. As we spend time with him and cultivate our relationship with him we grow. This is where “abounding in thanksgiving” comes. Where no matter the trial or circumstances, we can still recognize the blessings and the hope we have. There will always be something to be thankful for because when all seems to be lost we still have faith that he is with us. It’s not that we will not feel pain or go through strife. But having comfort in knowing he is working on our behalf and walking beside us. When there seems to be a list of things to complain about we can choose to make another list right beside it. Yes, thankfulness needs to be intentional sometimes, a choice. One we will be more inclined to make if our roots are set down in the right place causing us to be steady in faith and not breaking under the weight of the storm bearing down.

Dina Gonsar is the writer and creator behind the popular DishItGirl.com. Dina has shared her recipes and love for family dinner across numerous media outlets both local and national. She is an award-winning home cook that has a heart for encouraging her community both in and out of the kitchen. Dina has a heart for encouraging those right where they are at, especially when it involves the kitchen table. When she isn’t dishing it up on television you can find her in the kitchen with her daughter Siena and her husband Brian in New Jersey. You can learn more about Dina by visiting: www.dishitgirl.com