Monday, October 8, 2012 -- What's The Good Of Gratitude?

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  (1Thessalonans 5:18 NLT)

How can we give thanks when our world is falling apart around us?  There are pressures in relationships, worries about finances and anxious thoughts about how to find enough money for food and rent for tomorrow.  Sometimes there's guilt and shame around an addiction or a destructive habit or relationship.  Life isn't what we thought it would be.  The furniture is broken down.  The kitchen is cluttered.  The kids are acting up.  There's no money for laundry.  Home feels like a place to escape from rather than a place to settle and find comfort.  How are we to give thanks in the middle of all that?  What is there to be grateful for?

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

What do we have? We have families, opportunities, health, knowledge of God's love and care, mentors and support programs, household furnishings, transportation options, temperate climate, freedom of speech and religion, democracy, hospitals and medical plans.  We don't have widespread violence, devastating damage from floods and storms. We have freedom to choose what we will eat today.  We have sight, hearing and are able to walk. Our vital organs are functioning without being on life support machines.  We can freely gather to worship and share about our life with God without being thrown in prison. We have much to be grateful for.  We need to remember and let our hearts rejoice.