More… Gratitude. Less… Complaint

God’s word tells us to “give thanks IN all circumstances” (emphasis mine), not to give thanks FOR  all circumstances. The Bible tells us that in this world, we will have suffering, and that God has overcome the world! We don’t have to be thankful FOR the suffering, but we can be thankful IN it.

How can you do this? Find things to be thankful for, even when some things are really terrible, there are also things that are great and wonderful. They may be little things, like electricity or hot water that runs from your faucets, a warm blanket, a delicious cup of coffee, or a nice thing that someone did for you or your family.

You don’t have to look too hard to find things to be thankful for. They are all over the place. You just have to take the time to notice and acknowledge them, and to thank God for them. 

When we start to focus more on the little (and big) things that we are thankful for, the things that we have to complain about may not go away, but they get less of our energy. 

You may even find that you have more energy to take care of those things, as you are becoming more and more aware of your blessings.

Pray:

God, help me to notice the things in my life I have to be thankful for. Thank Your for your Word and for your salvation and for this new day. I want to honor you with my life and learn more and more to see the positive and do what I can about the things I can change.

Thank you for the big things and the little things that go unnoticed. Help me to be more of a noticer of things to be thankful for.

Amen.

Verses:

Give thanks in all circumstances 

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 CSB

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4: 6-7 CSB

I will thank the Lord with all my heart;

I will declare all your wondrous works.

I will rejoice and boast about you;

I will sing about your name, Most High.

Psalm 9:1-2 CSB