In yesterday’s blog, I began talking about how important it is for you to live successfully, as the masterpiece God created you to be, that you have a “thankful” attitude. The first step to living with a “thankful” attitude is to “Focus On The Right Thing”. (If you missed yesterday’s blog, take a moment and check it out.)
Be Thankful In Spite Of Things
The second discipline for having a “thankful” attitude is to be thankful in spite of things. If you are waiting for things to be perfect before you have a thankful attitude, you will never be thankful. Check out what Paul tells us to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Notice, Paul tells us that regardless of what happens we are to always be thankful. Why? He says that its God will for us. The One who created you as a masterpiece, says this is my will for you, to always be thankful.
What To Be Thankful For
There is always something to be thankful to God for. Make a list. Think about your family, your friendships, and your relationship with God, the food you had today, you job, your church, health, your freedom. You may not be thankful for everything, and let’s face it, bad things happen. But you can be thankful “in” everything and in every circumstance you can find something to be thankful for.
God Is Bigger
You can have a thankful attitude in every circumstance because God promises that no matter what happens, He will use it for your good. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28 NLT) While God does not cause every circumstance, He promises to use them for your good! You can be thankful because He will use everything in your life for a bigger purpose. He will give you the power to be an over comer of every problem. He will grow your character through every experience if you will allow Him to help you grow.
Question:
What are you taking for granted in your life? What blessing are you not being grateful for? What can you be thankful for in spite of things?
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Col 3:17 (NIV)