We Americans tend to have an attitude of entitlement rather than an attitude of gratitude. Part of that may be due to the fact that the younger generation has had everything handed to them and also the fact that materialism is the religion of most of us. We are never satisfied and content with what we have; we want something newer like the latest IPhone or whatever the latest fad is. Maybe we go into debt to get a fancy car or buy a home out of our financial reach. Always wanting more, and never truly satisfied.
Friends, there is only one thing that can satisfy a hungry soul, and that is a relationship with Jesus, the Savior. Only He can fill the void within our soul that is always searching for and craving for that elusive "something" .....that need to fill the void within our inner being that only Christ can truly fill and satisfy.
"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." - Jesus at John 10:10b
Jesus is not speaking here of material riches, although He may bless you with that as well, but, rather, He is speaking of having spiritual blessings and riches; a relationship with Him and the Father. Such a relationship will give you peace and comfort, although you may still have trials and sorrows to endure.
We should be grateful for all the Lord has done and will do for us. Think about it.... He gave His very life as a sacrifice on the cross for you and me. He bled and died for us. He redeemed us; He sets us free from sin and bondage if we will but accept Him as our Savior; by faith believe in Him and in His resurrection, and surrender our life to Him in obedience. Yes, we have much to be grateful for !!
"Jesus is moved to happiness every time He sees that you appreciate what He has done for you." - Ole Hallesby
"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul." - Henry Ward Beecher
"Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it." - A. W. Tozer
Did you know that by expressing gratitude you actually make yourself happier? It seems, so some experts say, that feeling and expressing gratitude gets those feel good chemicals in the brain to produce dopamine. So go ahead and count your blessings daily and say "thank you" with heartfelt gratitude. Some people actually keep a gratitude journal in which they daily (or every few days) write down things that happened that day that they are grateful for. It seems this can even turn you into a nicer person, by being thankful for all of your blessings.
As an adult, I tended to not be satisfied myself. But when I turned to the Lord in faith and surrender, I realized that all I really needed was Him. He took me out of the pits, out of the darkness, and into His glorious life-giving light and began to transform my thinking. (Romans 12:1-2). I am very grateful for all He has done in my life, my heart, my soul, and my mind.
The Bible has much to say about thankfulness and gratitude.
"O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever;" - 1 Chronicles 16:34
"I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD." - Psalm 116:17
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" - Ephesians 5:20
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
From the preceding verses, we can clearly see that thankfulness and gratitude should be a way of life for us. Think about it: our very existence is dependent upon God! He gives us our every breath. We should live to please Him in everything we do, and that includes being grateful for all of His blessings.
"Thou who has given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart." - George Herbert
Following is a moving song about thankfulness:
"Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever, Amen." - Revelation 7:12
Have a wonderful and blessed Christ-centered weekend!
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