Spirit of Gratitude

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Sometimes life does not go the way you had planned. Things happen, people change, people pass on.

I do not believe that God wants bad things to happen to us. I think it is how we handle these bad things that truly help mold who we are and who God wants us to be.

Each day when we wake up we have a choice about our attitude for that day. You can choose to live in a spirit of Thanksgiving in every season of life. You can give thanks for what you have received, but also for what you have NOT received. You can choose to live in a spirit of gratitude.

Living in a spirit of gratitude comes when:
(1) You recognize what you have already received.
-Are you in good health? Do you have a warm house and food on the table? Do you have friends and/or family that give you love?

(2) You bless another, in good times and in bad.
-Helping another will warm your heart in ways you never knew possible. When you are down in spirit, help another. It will surely help to show you that you have much to be thankful for.

(3) You give up anger about life and the way things are, or anger at another.
-To truly let go of ill will or anger about something or someone will give your heart and spirit the peace you are looking for in life. Forgiveness.

This is what our sermon was about at St. Luke's yesterday and it really spoke volumes to me. This Thanksgiving, ask yourself, "What do you need to lay down your strength for the journey?" "How can YOU live in a spirit of gratitude?"

LAS