Today’s blog is written by Angela Shakelford. Read as she shares about the power of gratitude.
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
-Psalm 95:1-2
Imagine the scene on Christmas morning. Everyone is gathered around the Christmas tree and the gifts are being distributed. There are two children present. The first child reacts with gratitude to everything they receive, even if they already have one or an item doesn’t quite fit right. The second child is difficult to please and nothing is quite right. There is a complaint, groan or face for everything received.
Which child enjoys Christmas most? The first child surely does because attitude makes all the difference – and this is true every day of the year, not just on Christmas morning. The Christmas morning example is like a snapshot of life. Some are thankful, and others continuously dwell on the negative.
When we are able to see life through a lens of gratitude, we are looking at it through the eyes of faith, trusting that God will see us through and provide. Renowned Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll says, “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so, it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.”
It can become easy to slip into the trap of thinking or behaving like the second child at Christmas. The Bible teaches us through scripture over and over that we are to sing for joy and come before Him with Thanksgiving. On days when joy and thanksgiving is not my first reaction, no one can convict me of negative attitude more than Paul. He wrote from the confines of a prison cell, a lesson for us to “Give thanks in all circumstances.” -1 Thessalonians 5:18
Reflection
Stop and think of 5 things in your life you are thankful for right now. Did it feel good? Could you keep going? How might it change your days to approach life with this attitude of gratitude?
Prayer
Loving God, We turn our hearts to you, reminded that every gift we have was provided by you. For each gift, we are grateful. For each gift you have provided, we see the abundance of your love. We praise and rejoice in You. We give You thanks and praise.