An Attitude of Gratitude...

 Most people would agree that we have a lot to be thankful for. After all, many of us live a lifestyle full of conveniences...  

• We live in comfortable homes, wear nice clothes, and have reliable transportation.  
• We have no shortage of clean water or healthy food.
• We have access to quality healthcare and education, and basically live a good life with a lot of freedom, safety, and security.

While it’s easy to take these wonderful blessings for granted—and begin to focus on what we don’t have—millions of people around the world live without the basic necessities of life.

We can complain about trivial things like cleaning the house. However, those without a place to live would love to have a house to clean. Or have you ever complained about the regular costs of maintaining your vehicle? I’m sure we’ve all had our day ruined by an unexpected repair. However, a person without transportation dreams about having a car to drive.

It is so easy to forget how blessed we are! That’s why maintaining an attitude of gratitude is something we need to do on purpose.

One of the best things we can do throughout the day is praise God while we work. As you go about your day, make a point to be grateful for the things you may otherwise not even notice. s you begin to thank God for the seemingly small things in your life, it will help you to focus on the positive and everything you do have. As result, you will also be much happier!

We need to praise God because we love Him. It actually draws us closer to Him, which helps us hear the Word clearly, receive it, and hold on to it through faith. Regularly giving thanks to God not only helps us fully realize how He’s working in our lives, it gives us a new perspective—our mind is renewed, our attitude is improved, and we are filled with joy (Psalm 16:11).

The following is from a recent devotion...

One of the most powerful emotions is gratitude. If we can find ways to be thankful and grateful throughout our life, we will find the power and emotional strength to walk through some of life’s hardest seasons.

It's not always easy to find ways to be thankful and grateful. But, one of the things Scripture teaches us throughout the Psalms is that there is always something to be grateful for.

The Psalms teach us various songs and poems for every season of our life. But more than that, they also teach us how to cultivate a heart of gratitude and worship towards God.

We belong to a God who loves us and cares deeply for us. God’s love and goodness will never end. Psalm 100:5 praises God for these things:

"For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Through Psalms like this, we can begin to build a habit of gratitude towards God and all that He has done. We can thank God for what He has done in our lives, what He is currently doing, and what He will do in the future as we follow after Him.

Because God is always good, loving, and faithful, there is always something we can be grateful for—even in the midst of difficult seasons of life.

Take a few moments today to strengthen the habit of gratitude in your life. 

- First, begin by thanking God for who He is: that He is good, faithful, and loving towards you. 

- Next, thank God for all that He has done. Thank Him for the good things in your life, and that He has walked with you through the hard times. 

- Lastly, thank God for all He will continue to do in the days and years to come. He is trustworthy!