An Attitude of Gratitude

   I feel like this year people are having a hard time being thankful, you know what I mean? People seem to be a little on edge because of the holiday season, stress from work or school, and topping it off, the election. Not only is it this year that I've noticed this, but I also feel that we wait until Thanksgiving every year to be "thankful" (listing a few things in your head to be able to say around the dinner table). This is just a stereotype, but really people, we should be ashamed of ourselves. Here's why:

We are not good witnesses of Christ.

   Is that a little harsh? Maybe, but take this in mind. Our attitude affects everything we say and do. If that's the case, how we come off to people really depends on our attitude. I'm sure you've seen people you don't even know that you can tell had a bad day. (Characteristic of the frown. slouching, and shortness they have with the people around them.) : ) You just want to give them a wide berth, right? Ever thought that maybe you've been like that too? Shocker, I know. 😊

How do we fix this?

    Well, I have some good news and bad news...the bad news is that a permanent fix is not able to be found within ourselves. Sorry guys! However, the good news is that God can change our heart! This may seem obvious; and honestly, that's a good thing. But knowing and doing are two different things I'm afraid.

   There's the Sunday School answer: read your Bible, pray, go to church. While these are great things, and I'm not diminishing them at all, there need to be some more specific things to happen to make this work.

Ask God to change your heart. Most of all, ask Him to help you have an attitude of thankfulness.

   Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34b) If we don't start with a thankful heart, we can't get very far.

Think of ways that He has blessed you today.

   There are multiple apps that you could go through if you wanted to do it that way. If you bullet journal (something I'm fascinated with right now), you could do it in there. Or, you can just have a journal dedicated to gratitude. After just a week, you begin to realize how much there is to be thankful for. It can be little things; like something you got out of your Bible study, a conversation you had with a friend, or even a kind gesture made by someone you don't even know. The main thing is to remember what God has done for you, and not focus on life's everyday trials.

Think of ways to bless other people in your life. Then DO them. 

   This is as simple as complimenting them on something they did well. Or, for you guys that are a little more adventurous,😉 taking them out or making something for them. The thing that we want to emphasize is this: our heart should overflow with gratitude so that we want to share it with others. It's like how Paul says to give out of the cheerfulness of our heart.

What does this accomplish?

   We start to become more like Christ, a cheerful giver, set apart from the world. As a Christian, that should be our goal, right? When we are set apart, people notice, and that's where we get to show the world His love. Amazing how that works, isn't it?

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   I challenge you to take the time to (1 Identify the problem(cause) of your unthankfulness. That can be work, school, etc. (2 Ask God to change your heart so that you see the world through His eyes. Also, ask Him to give you strength to be thankful even when you don't feel like it. (3 Write down what you're thankful for at the end of each day. (4 Do things for others. Not expecting anything in return, mind you. It doesn't work like that. 😊

 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!