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Practicing An Attitude Of Gratitude

Saturday January 26, 2019
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Practicing an attitude of gratitude – is this just a happy little slogan or is it a way of daily living that will change our perspective on life?

Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT) 

Is being thankful in all circumstances the key to a fulfilling life or an impossible command to fulfill?

There’s a wonderful story in the Bible that illustrates the gratitude principle.  A king and his people were being attacked by some armies who were much larger and stronger than they were.  They were under intense pressure and filled with fear.  The king’s FIRST response was to speak to God about their situation.  He called the people together and led them in a prayer which included giving thanks to God for His presence with them, His supreme power over them, and the history of times when God had helped His people in the past.


 God’s heart was touched by the king’s gratitude.  Through a prophet, God told the king that he would not have to fight this battle and the people were not to be afraid or discouraged by the circumstances confronting them.  The king and his people chose to believe God and to act courageously on God’s directions.  True to His word, God took care of them.  Their part?  Sing and give thanks to God.  Really?  (Read 2 Chronicles 20:21-24)

Is giving thanks our first response when trouble presents itself in our minds or in our circumstances?  Trusting in God’s power and having confidence in God’s directions, are life recovery principles we need to begin applying in all our challenging situations.  Like this particular king and his people, we will sing and give thanks as we recognize that God, through Jesus, has fought and eliminated those enemies we thought were larger and stronger than us.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for always being there for me and for Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me.  Help me to acknowledge every good thing You have done for me in the past.  I am grateful that as I seek You, and not lean on my own understanding, You will direct my path in every daily challenge I may encounter.  Amen

©2018 Partners in Hope  
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/

Audio for Practicing An Attitude Of Gratitude

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