Friday, May 6, 2011

Gratitude

Recently someone told me they were starting a gratitude journal.  I think that is an awesome thing to do.  You see, it is our human nature to be quick to point out all the problems in our lives, but we are often slow to think about all that we have to be thankful for.  I am not just talking about the common things we all think of....family, friends, health, a job.  I'm also thinking about those "small" things.....a parking place.......a good nights rest....an unexpected thoughtful deed.


Thankfulness is important to God.  You often hear Christians talk about finding "the will of God" for their lives.  Well, let me help you.  Giving thanks is the will of God for your life.



1 Thessalonians 5:18 (King James Version)


 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.


How do we learn to give thanks for those things in our lives that have brought us pain?   

Romans 8:28 (King James Version)


 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose


God does not say that "all things are good" but He does say that He will work all things for our good.  A few years ago I had cancer.  Was that good? No, rather it brought with it some very difficult days.  But God did take it and worked it out for my good.  It was in those times that He grew me, and renewed me and used me and I can honestly say that I am a better person today because of  those difficult days.


If you are a born again, true child of God then you can rest assured that whatever you are facing today has been permitted by the hand of God.


I did not say that God brings about all the bad things, but because God is sovereign, He permits whatever comes into our lives.


Sometimes we face difficult circumstances as a consequence of our sin.  It is the sowing and reaping process God spoke of in Galatians 6:7 when He said that whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.


Sometimes we face difficult circumstances because of the circumstances of life, the fall of man in general.  By this I mean that we might suffer at the hands of the economy, or a disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane or tornado, etc


Sometimes we face difficult circumstances because God has us in the refining fires.  He is purifying us, just as the finest gold or silver is purified in the hottest fires.  God desires to grow us and conform us more to the image of His Son and this is not always a pleasant process, but as Job said in Job 23:10, when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.


Why don't you take some time to start a gratitude journal?  I believe you will find that there is no journal large enough to hold all that you have to be thankful for.  If you don't believe me, then test me....I am certain you will find what I have said to be absolute truth!


When He walks among us, all that He does
All of His mercy and all of His love
If the pen of a writer could write every day
Even this world could never contain
Just how I've been blessed


The warmth in the winter, the flowers in spring
The laughter of summer and the changing of leaves
Food on my table, a good place to sleep, clothes on my back
And shoes on my feet
Oh I have been blessed


Arms that will raise, a voice that can talk
Hands that can touch and legs that can walk
Ears that can listen and eyes that can see
Oh I've got to praise Him as long as I breath
Cause I have been blessed


Father and mother, nurtured and raised
my sister and family, memories made
My pastor to lead me, an altar to pray
Stripes that can heal and Blood that can save
Oh I have been blessed


We live in a country, the greatest on earth
Our flag stands for freedom and what it is worth
She stands in the harbor, Miss Liberty calls
All have gave some, but some gave it all
For me to be blessed


A shoulder to lean on when I am down
A Rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed
The place where He hides me under His wings
He's not just a song, He's the reason I sing
Oh I have been blessed


I have been blessed, God's so good to me
Precious are His thoughts of you and me
No way I could count them, there's not enough time
So I'll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good, so good.   I have been blessed.


To God be the glory!