By:Lauren Bradley
Being Thankful
Why is it that people always want more? Why are they not thankful with what they have? Even I sometimes find myself disappointed when I can't have or get the things that I want. But then I think about what God has blessed me with, not the things that I haven't been able to get. This helps me to get over my selfishness and focus on how good God has been to me.
When I looked up "thankful" in the concordance, I found it to mean, "to express gratitude or appreciation." This is something that we all need to do on a daily basis. When you find yourself upset when you don't get what you want, think about the blessings that you have already received from God. This does not mean just material things like clothes, food and shelter, but having you health and strength, and having a sound mind. If that doesn't make you feel better, then think about what would happen if God took away all of those things that you have now. What if you were living on the streets because you and your family were evicted from your home? What if your parents were not able to feed and clothe you?
As we begin our transition through our teenage years, we gain some independence and sometimes find ourselves in situations that warrant punishments from our parents. When we are punished for doing wrong, we sometimes want to lash out because we feel that our parents are wrong. However, even this is a time that we should be thankful, thankful that we have parents that are trying to teach us a lesson in life. I mean really think about what would let you do whatever you wanted? You're probably thinking, "That would be great!" But what if they didn't make you go to school? All of you "future" lawyers and doctors would probably never achieve your goals. Some would probably not even finish high school, thinking that they have enough skills to make it in the world. So, if parents weren't there to guide us, what would happen to us? Parents are not around just to feed and clothe us, but to guide and help us make decisions that we may not yet have the wisdom to make. Think about all of the children who may have lost parents before they were ever old enough to know them. There is probably a parental void in their lives. Therefore, we should be thankful for our parents and the role that they play in our lives.
We must remember to be thankful for all things. Everything that we have and everything that we are or become is because of God. As Philippians 4:6 states: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." He supplies our every need and he allows us to receive or not to receive according to His will.
The tragedy that occurred last month in New Orleans has opened my eyes to how quickly life can change. We have to learn to be thankful at all times and in all circumstances even when we don't feel like it. In 1Thessolonians 5:16 it says: "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ." As we question why all of this happened, we know that our joy, prayers and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. Paul was not teaching that we should thank God for everything that happens to us, but in everything.
Therefore, I leave you today with this thought: Be thankful in every situation. When we make a conscious decision to do what God says, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful.
Please pray with me:
Dear Lord,
We thank you for all that you have blessed us with. Please forgive us for sometimes not being content with all that we have. And Lord, the next time we start to become ungrateful, please help us to remember all that you have blessed us with. In your name I pray. Amen.
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