An attitude of gratitude in all things

1 Thessalonians 5: 18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

So many people are the best to be around when things are going well in their lives. They are the life of the party and full of chirps and jokes, always praising God for everything. However, when things start going wrong in their lives, they seem to have a complete change of personality. They walk around with a dark cloud over their heads and are constantly negative and complain about the minutest things. This constant changing according to the circumstances reveals a fundamental flaw in the person’s character. They understand God to be good when things are going well, but would be quick to judge him when things aren’t going well. They have it wrong as the problem doesn’t lie with God, but with them. God is good and never changes. He is good in all circumstances, even when we can’t see his goodness in the midst of bad times. When we focus on the bad and the negative we have taken our eyes off all the blessings that he has given us. He has blessed us abundantly and we have much to be thankful for. As the old hymn written by Johnson Oatman Jnr. goes, let us count our blessings and name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

I’m grateful that God is my saviour and redeemer, who has forgiven my sins and reconciled me to God in Jesus Christ.

I’m grateful that I have a home, food on the table, clothes to wear, a family who I love and who love me, and friends who care.

I’m grateful that God has given me good health.

I’m grateful that I have a car to drive.

I’m aware that many people don’t have most of the above. It could easily have been me in their situation. What I have is a privilege for which I give thanks to God.

What are you grateful for?