A few years ago, my daughter would choose my bedtime reading for me from a little book called ‘Bible Promises for Women’ that she wanted me to read out loud. Each night the topic she chose dealt with the exact situation I’d already faced that day and they were words I needed to hear or be reminded of, except one of the nights, the topic that she chose was ‘grateful’ – this one seemed a little left field. However, the next day, the word just kept popping up in random conversations and discussions.
Just like for me today as I thought what do I want to share? I kept seeing ‘an attitude of gratitude’.. which totally makes sense as it’s the Thanksgiving season.
What is your attitude? Is it one of gratitude? We are told that when we stop to count our blessings they seem to multiply exponentially.
Conversely, we are told that if we look at all the things we don’t have, it will appear that we never have enough.
Harriet Crosby said ‘simple gratitude helps us experience God at work in every moment of every day’. The Bible says ‘in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you’. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV.
My friend Pastor Crystal Ward shared a sermon last week with this title ‘In All Things Give Thanks’.. she explained what Paul (the author of Thessalonians) had gone through and had been going through and yet, he said ‘in all things’. She further clarified that it’s not that we are thankful for the situation that we might find ourselves in. But… that we still give thanks while we are IN the situation.. I’ll even reiterate 1 Thessalonians 5:18.. ‘Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’
I’m learning that not everyday will be perfect, but I’m learning that in everything I do, an attitude of praise and worship can change my mindset from focusing on me and whatever is bothering me to focusing on the One, True God who has promised to provide for ALL my needs according to His riches in Glory.
Friends, I hope you will choose an attitude of gratitude and give thanks in whatever circumstance you may find yourself in today.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for providing and taking care of my needs. Lord, sometimes it’s even been needs that I didn’t even know I had, but you prepared and provided for me beforehand. Lord, may I always choose an attitude of gratitude and learn to count each of my blessing one by one, so that I can truly see how blessed I am. Lord, please take away any complaining spirits within me.