Attitude of Gratitude

Happy November! I pray this new month finds you doing well and you are all enjoying crisp Fall weather. I love November. I love seeing the gorgeous colors on leaves as they fall, and get excited about preparing yummy food and goodies for people to enjoy, and I love taking time to think about everything I am thankful for.

I find that true gratitude is one of the best ways to find joy and peace. It brings us closer to God, because we recognize that without God, nothing would be possible. For me, I wouldn't have a supportive, fun-loving, and compassionate family and friends if it weren't for Jesus. I have a nice home, food to eat, clothes to wear, and opportunities to enjoy and relax because God has been faithful to me. I really don't deserve any of it but God is the type of God the the loves surprising his children with blessings.

It's easy to think about the things that could be better in our lives. We would all like more money, better houses and cars, better grades at school, and bigger promotions at work. We want wars to end, poverty to be eradicated, and we want everyone to get along and find peace. If you're like me, you may not love chilly weather. I don't particularly enjoy bundling up and wearing lots of layers. I have found myself complaining or whining about how cold I feel and wish it was just  tad bit warmer. But when I do that, I forget about how God has provided me with adequate clothing and my house has heat and I'm much better off than I think. My complaining and ungratefulness hurts God's heart because in a way I am telling him "But you're still not good enough for me. I still need more."Ungratefulness is Satan's favorite way to distract us from worshipping God with cheerful and sincere hearts. God will never hold out on us. He knows exactly what we need and he will oftentimes blessings us with more.

Even when it's hard, I'd like to challenge all of us (especially myself) to take lots of time to reflect on how much God has given us. How has God surprised us with unexpected gifts? What are we going to thank God for today? Maybe we will find ourselves filled with more peace and joy. Maybe we will be more ready to bless others with our extra resources who are less fortunate. Maybe we will all be worshipping our Savior with pure and happy hearts instead of ones with envy and jealousy.

Here are some scripture to read and think about as we enter a season of joyous thanksgiving and peace.

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." -Psalm 100: 4-5

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4: 19

"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being confident with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you nor will I ever forsake you.'" -Hebrews 13: 5

I hope this week is a great start to your attitude of gratitude and joy. God is always gracious and faithful. If he has taken great care of us so far, then how will he not continue to shower us with abundant blessings?

-Chloe