An Attitude of Gratitude

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Most who read this are recovering from eating too much on Thanksgiving.
Some of you couldn't escape your wife's insistence that you join her for "Black Friday" shopping. I hope you're looking forward to the Lord's Day and the privilege of being in church with brothers and sisters in Christ.

We're still in the Thanksgiving weekend, and it's certainly appropriate to think about what some call "an attitude of gratitude." I wish the "gratitude attitude" were catching. We live in a world of complainers.
Think about it. If it's too cold, we complain. If it's too hot, we complain. If we get rain, we complain. If it's too dry, we complain.

Complaining has become the great American pastime, and it's not limited to non-Christians. As one who serves in leadership in a church, I know complaining. Men in my church who have served in leadership in the past will no longer serve. The complainers cornered them every time they came to church! They were tired of it and decided not to serve in another leadership role. It's hard to blame them for their decision.

Here's the deal. You're either part of the solution or a part of the problem. If the complaint virus has infected you, you're definitely part of the problem. If you choose an "attitude of gratitude," you're automatically a part of the solution. Just by your choice, you encourage those around you and see the good things happening in your life and church. Sure, you'll see things you don't like or things you think should be different. Your "attitude of gratitude" will help you address those issues in a much more positive way.

Scripture gives us some simple instructions that, if obeyed, help us develop "attitudes of gratitude." The Apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5, tells us to "rejoice always." (vs. 16) Just a couple of verses further in the chapter he tells us to give thanks for everything. (vs.
18) In Philippians 2:14, the apostle tells us to do all things without complaining. If people like you and me choose to obey those instructions, we'll find that "gratitude attitude" growing in our lives.
When it does, we become problem-solvers, not problem-causers.

I pray God will give you a wonderful holiday weekend. I pray, too, that He will spur you to pursue a "gratitude attitude." (Pastor John Strain
-- First Baptist Toms River)

Great Quote:

Lord, often have I thought to myself, I will sin but this one sin more, and then I will repent of it, and of all the rest of my sins together. So foolish was I, and ignorant. As if I should be more able to pay my debts when I owe more: or as if I should say, I will wound my friend once again, and then I will lovingly shake hands with him - but what if my friend will not shake hands with me?