Attitude of Gratitude

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”                                                                                         -Melody Beattie

We live in a world that does not understand the concept of contentment. It is a world of more, more, more. Industrialist and Philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Sr., who in the latter years of life had an estimated worth of $1.4 Billion, was once asked, “How much money is enough?” His answer, “Just a little bit more.”

It is so easy to get caught up in the quest for more. Yet, the Apostle Paul had the exact opposite perspective. He wrote in Philippians 4:12,

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Paul had an attitude of gratitude. Whatever his circumstances, whatever the situation, he was grateful for what God had provided and was confident in God’s ability to meet his needs and give him joy in the midst of whatever life had to offer.

There will always be those who have “more” than we have, whose house is a little bigger, their car a little newer and their lifestyle more extravagant.  But, oh how quickly we cast aside and forget those who have less than us, who are simply trying to pay the bills and put food on the table. As the chorus of the old hymn reminds us:

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Count your blessings, see what God has done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Philosopher Epictetus wrote, ““He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Like the Apostle Paul, may we, too, find contentment in what we have and live with an attitude of gratitude for what God has done for us.

Pastor Ken

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