| Original Date: November 4, 2009 |
| Email Subject: What Benefit? |
Dear Friends,
This time of year we are challenged to check our "Attitude of Gratitude" quotient. Having a heart that is consistently "Thankful" is not easy but so essential to the Christ follower. It is interesting to talk to several people and ask, "What are some things that prevent a consistent "Attitude of Gratitude" from coming out of our life?" I will often hear things like, daily pressures of life are so heavy, I work in a tough environment with some pretty difficult people, you don't know how stressful my home life is, it seems like I am constantly being put down for my beliefs, and yes the list can go on and on. But the number one reason I believe that prevents us from having an "Attitude of Gratitude" is "I am to busy and don't think about what all I have to be thankful for as a Christ follower."
Many years ago in church we used to sing a song that had a line in it that went like this, "Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done." The Apostle Paul in Col. 3:15 says, "Always be thankful." In 1 Thes. 5:18, we read "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." Two pretty strong statements to us as Christ followers which tells me that an "Attitude of Gratitude" is just that, a determination of my will, regardless of circumstances around us or the difficult people we are around when my focus is on Christ, who He is and what He has done for me a "Grateful Heart and Thankful spirit" will permeate my innermost being.
The difference in a Christ followers life who makes this choice each day is powerful, not only will they walk in personal peace, strength and joy because of their upward focus, but we can have a powerful impact on all those we are around. What a sweet aroma that comes from a life filled with "Thanksgiving!"
"Father, may we choose to be this sweet aroma in our world!"
Have a "Thankful" day/life my friend,
Pastor Doug |
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