For many people, it is very hard to feel gratitude for our lot in life. We seem to suffer insurmountable, continual trials and it takes weeks and months to navigate through them (1 Timothy 4:4). We get weary and we lose our faith in the Almighty, until we learn gratitude for what we do have, and all that He does for us on a daily basis (Psalm 28:7).
Those who do not have Christ in them might refuse to show gratitude to God for their negative experiences (Colossians 1:20; Roman 1:21). Due to their pride, they find it hard to show God any gratitude at all, and they fail to see what God has actually done for them and in them (2 Chronicles 32:25).
Many of these people love themselves and money, and they are boastful, arrogant, abusive to others, and have no gratitude or respect for what is holy and righteous (2 Timothy 3:2). They find it easy to cut out people from their life who do not agree with them, viewing them as toxic to their worldview and belief system.
However, the more gratitude that we show toward God and others, even for the little things that they do for us on a continual basis, the more positive our outlook is and the more we experience life with more health and blessings. Gratitude fosters healthy thoughts, emotions and actions.
When we only see the negative aspects of life, we end up spiraling into a deep pit of depression and hopelessness. We forget to live a life of praise to the Lord, even for the negative issues that come our way. Praising takes us out of the moment and into the courts of our God (Psalm 100).
Praising for negative circumstances sounds hypocritical and insane, but a Biblical principle that brings true joy to our life is that of rejoicing evermore, giving thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:16-28), praising with our whole heart, and telling others about His marvelous works (Psalm 9:1-2; Psalm 104:24, 139:14).
Prayer:
Father God, You are our God. We exalt You above all else and we continually praise Your name forever. You are faithful and true to us, and You constantly do great things for us. Even the ancient writings of Your Word are relevant for us today (Isaiah 25:1). Everything that has breath praises you; and if we fail to pour out our gratitude to You, the very rocks around us will fill in the gap (Psalm 150:6; Luke 19:37-40).
During the good times and the bad, my soul along with everything within me will bless Your holy name (Psalm 103:1; Acts 16:25). You are our strength, our help, and our shield. You protect us, and our heart totally trusts in You and greatly rejoices in You. We sing Your praises all day and night long (Psalm 28:7). Your loving kindness is better than anything this world has to offer to us, and we lift up our hands and voice to bless You all the days of our life (Psalm 63:3-4).
Thought for the Day:
When our soul – our thoughts, feelings and choices – are discouraging and dismal, we can change them by hoping in God alone; we praise Him even when we see no rhyme or reason to do so, and He puts a song in our heart, and a smile on our face as He removes the worry lines that crease it.
-Psalm 42:11
