I find it much easier to be discontent than to be thankful. While driving I sometimes find myself unhappy with the slow drivers in front of me who will cause me to be late, rather than being thankful I have a car. Can you imagine having to walk everywhere? Isn’t it much easier to complain that the food was cold when it was brought before you, rather than being thankful we have plenty to eat?
We must be careful to be thankful though it doesn’t seem to come naturally. The Bible calls us to be thankful in ALL circumstances. That means we must be thankful when things are good, AND when difficulties come our way. If we struggle with remembering to be thankful when everything goes well, can you imagine how difficult it will be to have a thankful heart during the difficult times?
As a college student I was in a worship service where a young girl in a wheelchair was brought before the student body to quote Psalm 139. When she got to the point where it says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! (Ps 139:13-14 NLT)”, her face lit. How could this girl in a wheelchair be thankful for the way she was and yet, the rest of us able to walk complain about our hair color and nose shape?
It is certain that God treasures the thanksgiving that comes from the heart of His people. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone”. 1 Tim 2:1NIV
Is your heart full of gratitude this season?