"Gratitude"

October 30, 2023 | By Chuck

 It is so easy to focus on all the bad things in the world. We don’t need much help remembering everything that has gone wrong in our lives. The negative things in life seem to rush to the front of our minds and memories. Why focus on the bad stuff? Consider what a mind focused on the negative does to an attitude. What if we determined that no matter what is happening around us, we will be thankful?

            I realize there is so much pain, sorrow, and bad stuff around, and it seems those things beg for our attention. I know we can’t ignore those things as they are our reality, but we don’t have to focus on all the negatives. In fact, I’ll suggest that it’s not good or healthy to always focus on the negative things. What if we did count our blessings every day? What if we decided each morning that today I’m going to be thankful? Gratitude will change our attitude.

            I’m convinced that even on my worst day I have so much to be thankful for. I think you do too. When I’m thankful, my life is more Christ-centered. When my attitude is that of gratitude, I’m sure I’m a way better example to others. When I’m thankful, I’m happier and I smile and laugh more. When I’m thankful, I enjoy life more. The power of gratitude is that it can change your life and the lives of those around you.

            We should all be “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20) God wants us to be thankful no matter what we face in this life. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)