1 Thessalonians : 16-18
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
Many times in our lives we feel like thankfulness is out of our reach. Sometimes it is frustratingly close, other times it feels far away, but for many, the idea of living in thankfulness seems laughable since they often do not feel that they have anything to be thankful for.
So let me ask you, dear believer in Christ, does that sound like you?
If so, I would like to offer you some encouragement and a way to help you through that.
First, some encouragement.
In today's world of materialism, happiness often seems just one purchase away. "If I only had this car," "if I only had that house," "if I only had this/that thing." Sometimes it's more of a lifestyle thing, however, "man I wish I made (x) dollars," or "gee if only I had (x) benefits at work," etc. etc. It is so horrifically easy today to fall into the trap of "what we do not have" rather than to plant our feet firmly on the Biblical principle of thankfulness. That does not sound like encouragement? Well, I am not done yet.
You see, once you understand where the problem is, that problem becomes easier to combat. It is NOT a hopeless fight. In fact, now that you have had the opportunity to spotlight such possible deficiencies in your spiritual outlook, the question becomes what will you do with them, not can you deal with them? Second, as a way of heling you through it, may I suggest that you consider purposeful thankfulness?
When is the last time you wrote out, and YES I do mean writing, a thankfulness list? It is often one of the most effective tools that we have when dealing with attitudes of ungratefulness or its seeds. In fact, when I do marriage counseling, often one of the very first things I make the couple do is to write a thankfulness list about the other person. I require them to bring it to every session and we begin by having them read it to one another each time. Often when we pause to remember what we are thankful FOR, it becomes much harder for seeds of discontentment and ingratitude to take rook in the places where we hold the things that we WANT.
Indeed, just taking up the habit of purposeful thankfulness will help tremendously in your outlook on life and help you to steer away from the covetousness and jealousy which engulf our world today.
How can I be angry that I do not have a better car when I am too busy being grateful that I live in a country where I can afford and drive one?
How can I be angry that I do not get Filet Mignon when I am too busy being greteful that I live in a country where I have food available to me from so many different sources?
Indeed, our attitudes of ungratefulness seed, germinate, and grow out of our inability, or purposeful neglect, within the realm of thankfulness. Therefore, the most effective way to combat these feelings and seasons of ingratitude is to double down on the purposeful cultivation of the virtue of thankfulness.
The Scriptures tell us that we are to purposefully cultivate joy (contentment, not happiness) and thankfulness. To be joyful and thankful at all times toward God for all that He has provided. When we put these scriptures into practice, we find a blessing that the world cannot strip us of.
The blessing of thankfulness.
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