Gratitude is the Right Attitude           

Life throws us a lot of curve balls. For me, the heart attack 2 years ago and then finding out a few weeks ago that I have had at least one TIA (mini-stroke) has given me pause to think. Think about life and ponder death. It has made me consider what kind of quality of life I consider acceptable and articulating to my family and in a living will exactly what I consider a productive and worthwhile existence on earth.

The human desire to give into non-productivity because of problems, stress, fear, and pain has made the “Jesus in me” think about finding “things” to be grateful for each and every day with the goal of becoming MORE PRODUCTIVE despite my challenges.

What I mean is that there are numerous negative events that I now consider “in my best eternal interest.” (Matthew 6: 19-21 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What I once considered negative things and events have occurred to make me rethink my life, look closely at behavior that was based on my selfish desires, and use the gifts God has given me for my own gain. After re-evaluation, I realized what I considered negative events/things was simply God moving me away from being self-serving to serving humanity. I am sure you have felt the same way and I hope you have spent time thinking about the purpose of events that seem negative, but might be looked at in a different light and seen as modifying your thoughts, motivations, and behavior with the end goal of creating positive changes in your life, making you more aligned with God.

What I have realized is that feeling gratitude and finding ways to spread joy despite my trials has lessened the burden I feel without having to constantly burden others with my problems. I have led many  “prayer warrior” events to help others in need. Our prayers have made a difference in hundreds of lives! I have listened to and counseled others experiencing scary trials of their own and helped them change their view on life. I have been introspective to the point that leads me to reach out and help those outside my private world. I have realized that despite my own bad news, each and every day is a blessing, full of thanksgiving and smiles as long as I keep a positive attitude and experience everything through a grateful heart.

Gratitude is a choice and a great one at that! I have read books about people who have faced horrible, debilitating, life-changing situations and death with a smile on their faces and joy in their hearts; I have learned from them. I prayed to God seeking His guidance, words of wisdom, and His plan for my life; I have learned how to live. I have helped people who can’t find the peace of mind and heart that comes with following God’s Word and seeking Him in everything; I helped them see His truth. I found happiness and peace through feeling gratitude for everything God has put in my life. The good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful…

Most importantly, gratitude came from finding beauty in the bad and ugly. Lessons learned; patience and attitude improved. Even when God needs to discipline me, I am grateful. “For we are ALL sinners and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) I am a “normal” human and reprimands are an important part of building my faith, strength, and character.

Hebrews 12:6-8 “For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not His children at all.” WOW! That’s something to contemplate.

Discipline is a requirement for us to become what God made us to be. His child, reflecting His training, example, and love. I mention this because we must be GRATEFUL for discipline. After all, it puts us on the path to being right with God. Being right with God means you turn to Him and He will save you from outside influences. He will make you feel gratitude in situations where others feel self-pity and resentment. He has a plan for us and He will help us achieve it if we call on Him.

Jeremiah 29:12-14 “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Although many think this Old Testament scripture doesn’t apply to our lives, I beg to differ. Our nation is being punished for our blindness, disobedience, and sins. We are in exile from God when we can’t see, feel, or hear His voice. Those are the times when He is most present because we need help. By reaching out to Him, He PROMISES He will bring us back from whatever has “captured” us. Whether it be hatred toward each other over a political or racial divide, playing games or watching TV all the time, or carnal sins…to name a few. HE ALONE will be available to us and He will save us from our self-imposed captivity.

During our “re-training” He will first teach us to be grateful for ALL He has given us. Most people in the USA have housing, food, water, a comfortable living environment, transportation, medical care, etc. Many USA citizens have taken this for granted and through prejudice, blindness, and complacency are on the precipice of losing it. LACK OF GRATITUDE has a HUGE cost! Sin has a HUGE cost, even if it’s “partial sin” meaning that many people believe they can follow some of the Bible, but waver on things when they want to choose what is right or wrong. God is clear on EXACTLY what is right and clear on what is wrong. In addition to knowing right from wrong, He expects us to be obedient, show gratitude, praise Him, and seek Him. Recognizing His Word as the final word is expected!

Gratitude and being thankful are synonymous in this sermon. Each is parallel and has a direct correlation to the other.

1. "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
2. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name." (Psalm 100:4)
3. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)
4. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

When you focus on gratitude, then not only does your earthly life improve, but your prayers and heavenly focus are aligned with God. I challenge you to start a daily journal where you list things you are grateful for having in your life. Maybe you only start with one because your heart hasn’t been changed yet, but I guarantee you, as your focus shifts, soon you will easily be able to fill an entire page each day with things that make you feel grateful/thankful and add joy to your life. My hairdresser has a plaque on her wall. It says “What if you only had today those things you thanked God for yesterday?”  -- **Eye-opening!!!!**

I will share part of my gratitude list as I end this sermon:

1. I am grateful I no longer see people who don’t think as I do as enemies. We are all God’s children and are at different stages of enlightenment.
2. I am grateful God puts people with needs in my path so I can help them.
3. I am grateful God has given me almost 66 years on this earth (thus far…my 66^th birthday is in two weeks) and I ask Him for more years to serve and enjoy my friends and family.
4. I am grateful I have a home away from the noise of this world and can think, write, and pray in peaceful serenity.
5. I am grateful God has sought me as a trusted servant and allocator of His resources to people in need.
6. I am grateful that despite so many who have come against me, I want to pray for their souls and love them.
7. I am grateful I have nourishing food, water, comfort, safety, and access to many resources.
8. I am grateful for the many people and my 4 pets who love me just as I am.
9. I am grateful to be alive and living a worthwhile life, but happily accepting death as finally going to my real home.

I could go on and on. There are so many things I feel grateful about that my list is never-ending. I am grateful that tomorrow will bring more enlightenment and therefore more gratitude in my already joyful heart. I pray with everything I am and all I can offer humanity that you decide to focus on gratitude. Gratitude allows you to see your enemies as people not to condemn (only God can judge) but as people to love and pray for their enlightenment/salvation. Gratitude is a CHOSEN attitude that God commands of us because He knows it makes our life worth living and makes us more like Him. Amen.

God bless with love, hugs, and blessings, Lisa ><>

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