"When gratitude dies on the altar of a man's heart, that man is well-nigh hopeless." ~Bob Jones, Sr.
A truly grateful person is someone who focuses on what they possess with thankfulness as opposed to what they don't have and want. When you focus on what you DO have and thank the Lord for it, your life will become richer because your focus will turn from things to the Lord.
As I work in the world, I marvel at the lack of gratitude that children have for what their parents give them (not talking about needs here but something as small as a sucker), for the help adults are given by an employee, for the ability to be out and about. We, as humans, tend so often to gripe about being tired, too much rain, not enough rain, the weather in general, having to deal with other humans, and the list goes on. I am included in this list unfortunately. Stop and consider that if you are reading this post now, you should be thankful for the ability to read, eyes to read with, an education, enough time to "pleasure read," the internet, access to a computer or phone, life, and this list to could go on and on.
An example of this in my life is my work: I don't mind my job and I really don't mind working hard, but I am often tempted to wish the time at work away as soon as it starts because I don't feel like standing for X amount of hours, I have other things I want to be doing, or some other reason. When I am tempted to think this way, and it's often, I must remind myself that I am blessed to have a job close to home, that has a good environment to work in, friendly and helpful coworkers, good management overall, air conditioning in the summer, and heating in the winter. I have so much to be grateful for, but so often I yield to the temptation of complaining and ingratitude. This certainly does not please or glorify my Lord. Maybe there is a similar situation in your life.
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Wow. I know I fail daily. What about you? Are you living a life without murmuring and complaining? A life where all your speech honors God?
Psalm 119:164 Seven times a day do I praise Thee because of Thy righteous judgments.
Lets strive to make this true for us: praising and thanking the Lord when we are tempted to complain.
“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” –A.W. Tozer
As I work in the world, I marvel at the lack of gratitude that children have for what their parents give them (not talking about needs here but something as small as a sucker), for the help adults are given by an employee, for the ability to be out and about. We, as humans, tend so often to gripe about being tired, too much rain, not enough rain, the weather in general, having to deal with other humans, and the list goes on. I am included in this list unfortunately. Stop and consider that if you are reading this post now, you should be thankful for the ability to read, eyes to read with, an education, enough time to "pleasure read," the internet, access to a computer or phone, life, and this list to could go on and on.
An example of this in my life is my work: I don't mind my job and I really don't mind working hard, but I am often tempted to wish the time at work away as soon as it starts because I don't feel like standing for X amount of hours, I have other things I want to be doing, or some other reason. When I am tempted to think this way, and it's often, I must remind myself that I am blessed to have a job close to home, that has a good environment to work in, friendly and helpful coworkers, good management overall, air conditioning in the summer, and heating in the winter. I have so much to be grateful for, but so often I yield to the temptation of complaining and ingratitude. This certainly does not please or glorify my Lord. Maybe there is a similar situation in your life.
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Wow. I know I fail daily. What about you? Are you living a life without murmuring and complaining? A life where all your speech honors God?
“It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich!” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Psalm 119:164 Seven times a day do I praise Thee because of Thy righteous judgments.
Lets strive to make this true for us: praising and thanking the Lord when we are tempted to complain.
“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” –A.W. Tozer
No comments:
Post a Comment