Gratitude

GRATITUDE

There is an interesting principle that is at work in our me-society.
Have you noticed it? People just aren't thankful. Our gratitude level seems to have plunged. We take things for granted: life, family, job, health, possessions.

Recently one of our friends lost both his son and wife - almost a week apart! Gone! I had an email from a dear friend, Dr. Al Platt, whose wife has cancer, and a special needs daughter. What amazed me was his "attitude of gratitude." Despite the challenges he and his two ladies are facing, he is grateful for the time God has given them.

Dr. Richard Swenson says in his book ONE MINUTE MARGIN: "In everyone's life there is much to be unhappy about and there is much to be grateful for. Realistically acknowledging both ends of the spectrum is appropriate.

When we turn to look at our problems, we assess them and make a plan - no matter how small or grand - to work on them. This plan we formulate with our MIND and motivate with our WILL. Then we look in the other direction at our blessings, finding our obligation for gratitude. Here we may fully engage our EMOTIONS.

Often we send our emotions to do battle with our problems, and despair results. Then we send our will to express our gratitude lacking any confirming passion whatsoever.

Of course our emotions ought to be informed about our problems; of course our mind and our will ought to express gratitude. But we should send out that warrior best suited for the duty. And I think there can be little debate concerning the most appropriate assignments here.

If we can adopt such a balanced approach, we will combine a realistic and objective involvement in working on our problems with a simultaneous assurance that there is much good in life. We'll recognize that the world is full of beauty, that most people are worthy of our respect and trust, and that the affairs of suffering humans are replete with acts of love, kindness, nobility, and sacrifice. And we'll remember that overseeing it all is a God who knows us well, who loves us anyway, and who is very, very good.

We all have within our grasp much to be thankful for. Gratitude fills.
Discontent drains. The choice is ours."

So today - will you choose discontentment or gratitude! The choice us ours today. By faith, let's choose to be men of gratitude. - Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK.

Today's Scripture: Judges 4-6; Luke 4:31-44

Today's quote: "The modern world has far too little understanding of the art of keeping young. Its notion of progress has been to pile one thing on top of another, without caring if each thing was crushed in turn.
People forget that the human soul can enjoy a thing most when there is time to think about it and be thankful for it." G. K. Chesterton