11-24-2009 True Thankfulness

True Thankfulness   November 24, 2009 ~Denise Grant   "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18            Are you grateful for the things God has given you – or are you always dreaming about the new things you would like to have?        Do you complain and nit-pick about your job?– If so, take a quick count of the people standing in your local unemployment line and then thank God you have a job with steady income.        Men, do you gripe about your wife's cooking or her inattentiveness? Be thankful she chooses to cooks for you and not some other man.        Wives, do you grumble about the time your husband spends lounging as a couch potato on the sofa? Be thankful he has chosen to spend time at home and not out at the bars with other women.        Parents, weary by your teens loud music or the phone growing out of their ear? Be thankful - at least for this night - they're safe at home and not missing on the streets.        Tired of paying taxes? Be thankful you have a job – many do not.        Frustrated by tight-fitting clothes? Be thankful you've had plenty to eat – a lot go to bed hungry.        Drained by constant home-maintenance? Be thankful you have a roof over your head – tons are homeless.        Not exactly thrilled with your government? Be thankful, at least for now, you still have the freedom of speech and religion – so many do not.        Irritated by rude morons who steal your parking space? Be thankful you have been blessed with dependable and reliable transportation – scores of people walk.        Enraged with paying enormous power bills? Be thankful you don't have to go to bed cold and can wake up each morning to a hot shower – millions are not as fortunate.        Exhausted from piles of laundry and ironing? Be thankful you own a closet of changes - many have only the clothes on their back. _____________________________________________________________________________          Dissatisfaction is a lack of true thankfulness and comes when our attention shifts from what we have - to what we don't have. It's difficult for some people to notice what God is doing for them, because they have become too wrapped up in what God isn't doing for them.        "Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20 Don't get me wrong – I'm not saying we should thank God for everything that happens to us, but in everything. Evil - for instance - does not come from God, so we need not thank him for the evil that is around us. However, when evil does strike in our lives, we can still be thankful for Who God is and for the good He is sure to bring through those times.        "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise." Psalm 138:1 True Thankfulness needs to be an integral part of our lives. Remember – not too long ago - when you asked God for protection, His strength, comfort, patience, love or some other special need - and He supplied them? Don't forget to thank Him for those answered prayers. We must always beware of taking God's provision and answered prayers for granted.        No matter the circumstance, if we could just train ourselves to give God thanks for every situation - not necessarily for our problems per se` - but for the strength He will build in us through such experiences, we could soon realize His perfect love will see us through every time.        True Thanksgiving and praise should not be just an expression reserved for a once-a-year celebration. It should be a permanent part of our existence. Determine to find ways to praise God continuously – and soon you'll find that it becomes less difficult to take His blessings for granted.     Father God,        It's so easy to overlook some of the good things You do for me. Help me to always focus on Your glory and goodness then look for ways to show just how much I appreciate all You do for me – by what and how I do for others.  In Jesus' name, Amen! Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands. God is the source of my existence. He has become my Lord and my friend. It is He alone who keeps me functioning each day and the absolute only reason I bother to get up in the mornings. I am a precious daughter of the Most High King and I know that I am absolutely worthless without Him! Side by side with the Savior -  ...."I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me". Philippians. 4:13  "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14