Here’s a revelation, God does not owe us anything. He
has already given His life as a ransom for our sins. Somehow we believe we
deserve more and better. In our western culture and particularly with the
millennia generation (generation x), there is a sense of entitlement.
We
enter into sin when we begin to complain about our circumstances.
I am not discounting heartache and hardships. I know firsthand about getting
dealt a “bad hand” in life, but sometimes
you have to play the hand you were dealt. There are a lot of people who are
angry with God, and displeased with their lives. It is okay to work out your
anger with God, but don’t stay there!
What if we started focusing on what is right with our
lives, as opposed to everything that is wrong with our lives? Our attitude about things is actually more important
than what happens to us. You may be thinking, “How can I be grateful when
my life is a mess? “This may be true, but there is ALWAYS something to be
grateful for.
►There
are even benefits to being grateful, such as improved immune
system, feelings of connectedness, a positive outlook on life, boosts your
well-being, and benefits your cardiovascular system. Being grateful protects you from negative emotions that can come from
extreme loss. WEBMD reported that
gratitude can help boost feelings of belonging and decrease feelings of stress.
Emotionally, gratitude can foster
positive emotions, make you more relaxed, and even more resilient.
Gratitude has been linked as well to being less self-centered, increased self-esteem,
healthier marriage, more and deeper friendships, increased energy, and improved
work performance such as time management and goal achievement.
Life is continually filled with distractions and
circumstances that can cause us to not focus on what God has done for us. If we are not mindful to refocus our
attention to our blessings, bitterness and anger can seep in. When we shift our anxiety and burdens to
the Lord, we exchange these weights for peace, which in turn causes
thanksgiving.
Keep a daily gratitude journal or say verbally out
loud at least (5) things that you are grateful for. Counting your blessings
instead of your counting your woes can lead to improved health, relationships,
emotions, and career. It will even improver your relationship with God.
“Let
us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to
teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us
engaged with Him. It will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit
room in our heart.”
-Andrew Murray
(1827-1917), South African born missionary and minister.
Psalm 118:24 ESV
This is the day that
the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Colossians 3:17 ESV
And whatever you do,
in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
God the Father through him.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
ESV
Give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Psalm 136:1 ESV
Give
thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endure
* For additional reading on this topic and how to have a better attitude and a more disciplined thought life, check out my new book, "Disciplining your mind, 30 days to a new you," click on the book title to purchase or find at Amazon or Barnes and Nobles.
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