Having an Attitude of Gratitude

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 34:1-3

You may ask, “But what if I don’t like my circumstances?” “What if I have recently lost the love of my life?” “What if I am estranged from my spouse or children?” “What if I am in poor health, or constantly in pain?” “What if I have suffered financial ruin?” “What if I am not sure that God even hears my prayers anymore, or truly cares for me?”

Living in this world can be complicated, messy, and even painful. We live in a world that is corrupted by sin. The Bible makes it clear that the evil one prowls about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. [1 Peter 5:8]

Satan has but one desire for you and me – to steal away our joy, to kill our appetite for the things of God, and to destroy our testimony. [John 10:10a] That is why it is vital for Jesus followers who name Christ as Lord, to constantly be emersed in the refreshing pool of God’s Holy Word.

Time and again we are instructed in the Scriptures to give thanks, or to be thankful to the Lord.

• Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For THE LORD IS GOOD; His STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER, and His faithfulness to all generations. [Psalm 100:4-5]
• Give thanks IN ALL circumstances ; FOR this is the WILL OF GOD in Christ Jesus for you. [1 Thess. 5:18]
• Giving thanks ALWAYS and FOR EVERYTHING to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [Eph. 5:20]
• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE OF GOD, which surpasses all understanding, WILL GUARD your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is COMMENDABLE, if there is any EXCELLENCE, if there is anything WORTHY OF PRAISE, think about [focus on] these things. [Phil. 4:6-8]

I don’t know what trials you may be facing during this season of Thanksgiving, but I do know that our God is One to whom we can run for refuge from the storm. He alone is our strong tower against the enemy. [Psalm 61:3] I know that the joy of the Lord can be our strength. [Nehemiah 8:10]

I know that we do not need to walk in fear for our God will uphold us with His righteous right hand. [Isaiah 41:10] If we will only put our trust in Him with our whole heart, and not lean on our own understanding. If we will acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will make our paths straight. [Prov. 3:5-6]

Having an attitude of gratitude is one of the disciplines of the Christian Life. It is recognizing that no good thing resides in us. That God loves us beyond measure and invites us to cast our anxieties upon Him knowing that He cares for us. [1 Peter 5:7] It is a by-product of believing that God is good – all the time. May you rest in Him this Thanksgiving holiday. May His presence overwhelm you in abundance.

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