GRATITUDE IS ABOUT YOUR ATTITUDE
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15 (NIV)
The person who did not have new shoes, stopped complaining when they saw another person who had holes in their shoes. The person who had holes in their shoes stopped murmuring when they saw someone else who did not have shoes. The one who did not have shoes was no longer upset and began to be grateful when they saw a young former soldier who did not have feet; because he stepped on a land-mine at Iraq causing his legs to be amputated.
The lack of contentment happens because we fix our eyes on what we do not have, instead of turning our attention on what we do have. People tend to complain about what they do not have and they forget to thank God for all of the things they do have. It is all about one’s attitude.
Every day, let us take a minute out of our busy routine and stop to contemplate all of those things we have in our surroundings, and that we do not notice; because they simply become “part of the panorama”.
Let us develop the sincere habit of thanking the Creator every day for a blessing that maybe we no longer noticed. Be grateful for your family that you love so much and who motivates you to get up every day. Be thankful for your children that shout so much when you want to read; given that there are people who would pay to have a child even if they were noisy. Be grateful because you are able to freely come to a place called “your church” without having to worry about a communist or atheist government that is trying to imprison you. Be thankful for that job you have and go to every morning, when many others are looking for one; be grateful because you are able to leave your home to run some errands while others have to go to the hospital to see a doctor or a loved one who is sick. Be thankful because you are living good days and you are faithfully believing that your best years are yet to come; lastly, be grateful for being able to make it to the evening and say what the psalmist said:
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
Time to Reflect:
- Today, do you have something to thank God for or someone else?
- Take a moment to make a call, write a letter or do something to thank your spouse, children, friends, boss or someone else.
