He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:7-8
This time of year our calendar, and everything around us, reminds us to be grateful. We plan our Thanksgiving Day feasts and invite family and friends weeks ahead of time, as stores stock frozen turkeys and thousands of pounds of potatoes. And endless are the colorful, truth-filled reminders on social media to give thanks to God. But many struggle to find gratitude under the relentless burdens of daily life. Real life has a way of knocking the gratitude right out of our hearts when our present circumstances are constant reminders of everything that can go wrong.
The only way to revive, refill, and renew a heart that lacks gratitude is to refocus it. We all lose sight of God’s goodness and provision when we focus on what is lacking rather than on what is abundant. When we are always looking inside and counting our problems, instead of His every blessing, we grow more bitter, not more grateful. Focusing on ourselves will never lead our hearts to the wisdom and understanding Jesus gives. Only when we fully grasp the depth of Jesus’ love and all that He has poured out on us, will we become so filled with gratitude and joy that it spills right on out—into the world and onto others. Our God is a God of kindness and grace, wisdom and understanding, and those very same qualities should mark our own hearts and lives, as well.
It’s hard to see all that is good when your heart isn’t feeling grateful, but it’s even harder to grumble and complain when it is! The only answer to an ungrateful, dissatisfied heart is Jesus!
When you replace Him with your own self-interests, your problems, and your desires, it puts you on the throne, rather than Him. But He will not worship at your feet. So put Jesus in His rightful place and sit at HIS feet. Worship Him, praise Him, and count the abundant blessings from your loving and generous Savior. Then get out there and BE a blessing for others to count! You are loved!