Gratitude is about Attitude

I Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP)

18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful

and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the

Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 

Have an attitude of gratitude!  We have soooo much to be thankful for.  But

we have to CHOOSE to be grateful.  It is easy to grumble and to think of the things

we don’t have or can’t do!

James 1:2-4 says to “count it all joy”.  Philippians 4:4 says to “rejoice in the

Lord ALWAYS”.  Wow!  Does God see it as important?  I think so!

I just listened to a great teaching on letting praise break your chains.  And

then I fell twice.  (For you who do not know I am being attacked physically but the

doctors do not know why.  This has gone on for over 12 years.  Jesus is my healer!)

So, my choice is to sit down and cry or to praise Him!

We have many circumstances that are not good.  They may even seem

overwhelming at times.  The Bible doesn’t say to give thanks FOR these things, but

IN these times.

He is worthy of our praise at all times.  He is our answer and not our

problem.  He is our hope to get through the storms.  And as we praise Him we are

giving him something to work with.  He is doing miracles for us!  (And in us!)

I have a friend that is a great example of this.  She is soooo joyful because of

her attitude of gratitude.  And let me tell you, everything hasn’t been a bed of roses

for her either.  But she has made the choice to praise Him at all times!

What do you do when the storm is raging?  Praise Him!  And He can calm

the seas.

What do you do when you feel beaten and bound by the enemy?  Praise Him!

And the prison walls can shake and you can be loosed!

What do you do when there is death around you?  Praise Him!  And He can

bring new life!

This isn’t easy for any of us.  Like I said… it’s a choice.  But praise can cause

us to win!  And also it produces joy, and who doesn’t want more joy.

Here are some things I have to be thankful for:  the sun is shining, I am alive

to enjoy another day, I have a warm home, I have more than enough food, I have a

husband who loves me (he is not perfect, but who is?), I do not have pain in my

body, I have eyes to see the beautiful colors of the trees… the list could go on.  And so could yours!!!

Thank Him today!!  Thank Him tomorrow!!