A Heart of Gratefulness
At some point in your life, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “be grateful for what you have.” You may have heard this as a child, when you complained about wanting something that you couldn’t have. If you’re a parent, this may even be something that you’ve said to your own kids. I know I have!
Last week, I wrote about making worship a “lifestyle”. A big part of this lifestyle is practicing GRATEFULNESS.
If you guys have been following my blog since the beginning, you know that I left a career in the Air Force, to travel down this different path that God has been leading me on. Leaving that career was not an easy decision to make. It’s not easy leaving financial stability, for the “unknown”.
If it’s one thing that I’ve learned during this season of my life, it’s how to be grateful with the things that I have. I’ll be transparent, and say that these lessons have not been easy.
In our walk with Christ, we go through different seasons. There are some seasons, where God wants us to get to know Him as a PROVIDER.
During the times when we don’t know how a situation will turn out, and we have to give our complete trust to God, the normal human reaction is worry. We feel anxious, when we don’t know how things will work out. God knows this about us, and He gives us peace in His word.
In times of what may seem like lack, the Bible tells us not to worry. We can look at the birds in the air, and the flowers in the field (Matthew 6:25-34). This reminds us that God will always take care of our needs.
Whether you currently find yourself in a season of drought, or abundance, it’s always important to have a heart of gratefulness. We must thank God when we have little, and when we have much. We shouldn’t let murmuring, and complaining take root in our hearts.
There have been times that I’ve complained about things in my own life, and God had to check me. Many times, God does this by giving us a fresh perspective.
Let me give you an example...
Recently, it was time for me to go grocery shopping. It was 1,000 degrees outside 🔥, and to be quite honest, I just wasn’t in the mood.
I wasn’t in the mood for the crowd, or the heat. (Did I already mention it was 1,000 degrees outside?! ) I also wasn’t in the mood for the ONE checkout line that’s usually open...maybe two lines on a good day. Not to mention, the loading/unloading of the bags etc.
Anyways, as I was doing AAALLLL this “silent complaining” in my head, God shifted my perspective. I thought about all the people at home, or out on the streets, that couldn’t afford groceries. I also thought about the person at home with no vehicle, that had no way to get to the store. I thought about all the people, who would love to be in the position, that I was complaining about.
Through that reminder, God allowed me to see things differently. While I wasn’t driving my dream car, I had a car to drive. I may not have had a full tank, but I had gas, to get to my destination. I may not have had an unlimited budget to buy whatever I wanted, but, I had enough money, to buy food for my family to eat.
See, sometimes we can get so caught up on what we don’t have, that we can’t see the blessings that are right in front of us.
I applied this to my experience with grocery shopping, but this can be applied to anything. Even though this “complaint” may seem small, being grateful over the little things pleases God.
Again, I’m reminded of the relationship between a parent and their child. Imagine a child that always complains about what they don’t have. Imagine doing your best as a parent, giving all that you can give, and your child finds a way to complain about every single thing.
Then, imagine a child that is grateful, and thankful for what they do have.
Which child would you find pleasure in giving to? God wants to bless us, but we have to keep our hearts in the right condition to receive.
“I believe that we can block our blessings, when we are unable to be grateful for the things that God has given us. We must be grateful for what we have, while having the FAITH to believe that more is in store for us. ”
Not only do we block our blessings, but we also block our vision. We can’t see things clearly, nor do we have the right perspective, when all we see is what we don’t have. Also remember, that your life will never measure up, if you’re always comparing what you have, to what others have.
Throughout your day, make a habit of thanking God for all He has done. You may not have your dream job, but thank God for the job that you do have. You may not be living in your dream house, but thank God that you have a roof over your head. You may not have everything you want in your wardrobe, but thank God that you have clothes to wear.
Doing this will help you to develop a heart of gratefulness! God sees the condition of our hearts. We may not always have what we want, but I believe that the more we walk in gratefulness, the more we will receive.
Today’s Prayer
Father God, I am so grateful to you for my life. I ask your forgiveness for any time that I’ve murmured or complained, when I should’ve been expressing gratefulness. I thank you that you are a provider, and that you fulfill all of my needs. I ask that in those times that I am about to complain about my situation, that you change my perspective. Give me eyes to see things from your point of view. Create in me a heart of gratefulness. In Jesus name. Amen.
Today’s Readings: Colossians 2:7; Matthew 6:25-34
Colossians 2:7 NLT: “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Matthew 6:25-34 NLT: “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”