My wife, Georgann, who often comes up with an important understanding of the things of the spirit, explained how she has realized that there are two realms, one of God and the other of the world, the flesh and the devil. Our thoughts take us into a realm, and if thoughts are worry, fear, self-condemnation, etc. we go into a place where we get hammered constantly with reminders of our failures, weaknesses, unworthiness, stupidity, and on and on. Only if we give thanks, and praise and worship can we enter into the realm of the Kingdom of God where there is righteousness, peace and joy, along with freedom from fear, no condemnation, abundant love, hope, vision, and so on.
Steve Backlund (Igniting Hope Ministries) says your level of hope and joy is an indicator of whether you are listening to lies or the truth.
It is so simple. Which realm do you want to be in? Thanksgiving, worship, and praise are the way into the realm where we obviously want to live. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks,” is not just a handy way to stay happy, but a life-changing choice whether to live in the superior reality of God’s Kingdom, or in the inferior realm of untruth.