gratitude.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Our family just recently moved into a new home. For a while I held a grudge with my sister about the difference in the size of our bedrooms. I couldn’t help but look at what she had that I didn’t.
It made me mad and the whole “gratitude” thing totally flew out of my mind. I was so fixated on comparing our lives that I couldn’t look at my own.
It is often too easy for us to look at the lives of others, the things they have and compare it to our own. We want what others have, sometimes just for the heck of it.
After a week or two of being upset about this whole thing, I had a moment with the Lord. I was sitting outside, listening to worship music, and reflecting as I scrolled through past photos in my camera roll.
It was then that the Lord put on my heart a simple word; gratitude.
I hadn’t been showing much gratitude the last week or so and it was weighing on me. I longed for more and couldn’t just be content with where I am, but after that moment my whole mindset changed.
Instead of looking at people or things with a mindset of comparison and need for what others have, I looked at them with gratitude and contentment.
This is such a timely message with Thanksgiving being celebrated this week! It's a perfect time for us to reflect and be grateful.
We are all going to have our moments, I still do. We aren’t perfect human beings who find it easy peasy to sit content forever. It's part of our nature to want more. We all have dreams, big dreams, and desires.
In those moments, we can sit reflecting on what the Lord has already blessed us with and done in our lives.
I challenge you:
To make a list of all the things you are grateful for. Add everything. Every little thing, from the sunshine to the food on our plate, is something to be grateful for.
THEN, pray this prayer:
God, thank You. Thank You for everything You’ve blessed me with and done in my life. When I begin to take for granted what You have done, realign me. Help me to always have a heart of gratitude and a mindset of thankfulness. Lord, I will praise You always. In Jesus Name, Amen
