Gratitude

As we have come off of a calm July 4th weekend, I am quietly reflecting on a challenge issued by a friend. Her challenge was that over the next 30 days we focus on gratitude and not our complaints. How easy it is to get caught up in work-related issues, family issues, church issues, relationship issues, money issues, and general life issues. It is far easier to complain about what’s not right or not going our way than it is to sit back and appreciate what is working in our favor.

I am reminded of how the Israelites complained as Moses led them out of Egypt. They had everything that they needed: God’s love, favor, miracles, protection, direction, and provision. They didn’t see what was right in front of them. Instead, they complained about how long before coming out of the wilderness, why couldn’t they have more than manna, when was Moses going to do more, and how were they better off now than being in Egypt.

Had the Israelites stopped to think and reflect, they would have given thanks for overcoming and escaping oppression, thanks that God loved them (His chosen people), thanks that He sent Moses to lead them, thanks that God dealt with ALL who meant them harm, thanks for being fed, thanks for provision, and thanks for directions in life. And had the Israelites focused on gratitude, they would have given thanks for the gift of being led to the Promised Land, a land that so many never got to enter. 

Hebrews 13:5 (AMP) states, Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”

If we substituted “the love of money” [shun greed—be financially ethical] with “the love of complaining” [shun complaining–be forever thankful], the message is that whatever the circumstance, our God has never rendered us helpless or without His support. He has never given up on us so why complain as though we have been resigned to the wilderness without a Promise Land?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be like the Israelites and lose sight of what is right in front of me because I am consumed and wallowing in my complaining. I also don’t want to become that person that others avoid because of my incessant need to be negatively vocal about things that should not be my concern or things that I can’t change. I don’t want to miss opportunities!

Gratitude is not just about being thankful; it is about being appreciative and reciprocal to acts of kindness. Psalm 46:10 (AMP) says,  “Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God…” When we sit in silence and reflect, our gratitude outweighs our complaints.

Take the challenge! What are you grateful for in your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual life? 

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