An Attitude of Gratitude

Strong and Courageous

June 15, 2018

An Attitude of Gratitude

The first thing when I wake up each morning is to make a choice, am I going to be grumpy,  feel tired and grouchy? Or am I going to start my day with a heart filled with gratitude for being alive and blessed by God?

For each of us, there is a personal choice to be made every morning. No one else can decide, you are the commander of your own ship. Certainly, there are more choices than just the two mentioned above. You can land somewhere in the middle ground to start with. However, the idea of surrendering your negative feelings and giving glory and thanks to God is a solid biblical pattern for walking in the light of Christ as a new man. 

We talk often at the River Center about being a new person in Christ. This is not meant to be just a one -time event, rather it is an ongoing discovery on a regular basis that the Holy Spirit is living inside of us. He is guiding and directing us to live above the fray of doubt, worry and despair.

Is the glass of our lives, half-empty or half- full?

Christian life is so glorious compared to others around us who don’t know the joy of relationship found in Christ! The atheist‘s perspective is that of a cold, uncaring, heartless universe that has no ultimate purpose or meaning for the reason for existence. A Christian’s  perspective is full of purpose and hope for the future, being saved by grace and taking part in the kingdom of God and enjoying eternity in his presence in the future.

The scripture is clear about the ongoing need for us to be grateful,  full of thanksgiving and praise to God. Philippians 4:4-7 states, “⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

This is meant to be an active process; we are to participate by vigorously engaging our minds. The next few verses declare, “⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me (Paul)—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Links:

John Piper- Joy is never optional.