Choosing Gratitude and Contentment
“I have all, and abound: I am full…” Philippians 4:18
One Sunday afternoon my husband and I went visiting after church. Unfortunately, there was a lot of grumbling going on and speaking ill of other people that we also know. My heart was just so grieved. What peace and joy these people were missing out on in their life by all this feuding. I tried to speak kindness and the words of Christ into their lives. There was more I could have and maybe should have said, but out of obedience to my husband, we were staying out of this family’s problems and just trying to be an example to them the best we could.
As we left, I asked the Lord to convict me of any grumbling and discontentment that He sees in my life that needs correcting.
I was reminded of some little booklets I have in our ministry office called “The Attitude of Gratitude, Developing a Thankful Heart” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. In there she explains that in every situation I have a choice in how I’m going to respond. I can worship or I can whine. I can worship Him through a heart of gratitude or I can whine with an ungrateful heart.
She shares some excellent contrasts between a grateful heart and an ungrateful heart.
- Grateful people are humble; ungrateful people are proud.
- A thankful person is conscious of God and others; an unthankful person is self-conscious and self-centered.
- A grateful heart is a full heart; an ungrateful heart is an empty one.
- People with thankful hearts are easily contented; unthankful people are subject to bitterness and discontent.
- A grateful heart will be revealed and expressed by thankful words; an ungrateful heart will manifest itself in murmuring and complaining.
- Thankful people are refreshing, life-giving springs; unthankful people pull others down with them into the stagnant pools of their selfish, demanding ways.
I want my heart and life to radiate gratitude. Not just on Thanksgiving Day or Thankful Thursday, but I want it to become a daily habit for the rest of my life. When people come visit my home, I want them to see an attitude of gratitude that points to the One who has filled my heart with praise.
1 Thessalonians 5:16,17,18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
“Thou that hast given so much to me give me one thing more, a grateful heart: Not thankful when it pleaseth me, as if Thy blessings had spare days, but such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.” A prayer by George Herbert
As a way of saying Thank You to all of you that have chosen to read this post, I will be having a drawing on Thursday for the book “Choosing Gratitude, Your Journey to Joy” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Simply leave a comment here, on my blog or Facebook wall when this post comes in as a Networked Blog. Just one comment at either place is enough. One person will win the book and two others will receive the Choosing Gratitude 2010 wall calendar. I’ll announce the winners Friday morning.
It is so true that we can make a choice — be humble and grateful for the things we have. I like the point you are sharing from Nancy…I especially like the last one — I try to stay away from negative people, but it does not always work.
Thank you for sharing and the chance to win 🙂
I love that verse and this is a lifestyle I am continually trying to implement. I want to be a person who sees all that God has done for me instead of one who sees all the trouble sin has brought into the world.
What version of the Bible did you use? It is a beautiful and rich way of saying Paul’s words!
Thank you for sharing..It was a joy~~
Amen Marsha. I sure wish I could point fingers and say “I wish they would do that.” Unfortunately I realize three fingers would be pointing back at me, some times we need to make this a conscious decision it does not always come naturally.
Great post.
Great post, Marsha! I pray I always have a thankful heart and not a whiney one. This was really inspirational.
Right on target. Gratitude and joy are close cousins and both are just a choice away. For another look at “the secret of being content in any and every situation,” you might enjoy Journey to Joy: Ancient Secrets for Happiness – Check out my book, Journey to Joy:
http://amzn.com/144218776X
I so want to be a worshiper and not a whiner…help me Lord to always remember my many blessings….great devotion, Marsha!
Amen sis, we all need to take this post to heart.
Oh, Marsha… this is so very true! Gratitude makes such a HUGE difference!
Loved what you had to say Marsha. Oh how easy we forget what God has brought us thru and protected us from. I desire to have a heart of gratitude in all that I do. Thanks for reminding us. -blessings.
Great devotion Marsha. Thanks for sharing.
I am thankful for all my Bloggy Mommies and Bloggy Sisters.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS POWERFUL POST OF GRATEFUL HEARTS. YESTERDAY WAS MY 47TH BIRTHDAY, MY HEART IS FULL OF GRATEFULNESS FOR GOD’S MERCY!
YOUR SISTER IN CHRIST,
BREN
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS POWERFUL POST OF GRATEFUL HEARTS. YESTERDAY WAS MY 47TH BIRTHDAY, MY HEART IS FULL OF GRATEFULNESS FOR GOD’S MERCY!
YOUR SISTER IN CHRIST,
BREN
Marsha… Marsha… Marsha.
this post just says it spot on…… Amen. and that every Christian everywhere would read it.
I love you. You always share the truth with love. Thank you.