Finding Gratitude in 2020

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Gratitude V. Complaints
1. Gratitude multiplies. Complaining subtracts.
2. Gratitude recalls the good. Complaining reacts to the bad.  
3. Gratitude lifts up. Complaining tears down.  

And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.

Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down[…]

And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat!”
- Numbers 11:1-2,4 ESV

Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to “crave” the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed.

“We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.

But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”  
- Numbers 11:4-6 NLT

Hebrew: “Ta’avah”
Strong desire for something pleasant, but possibly sinful.

Complaining drains out the good things from your life.

HOW CAN WE OCCUPY GRATITUDE IN OUR LIVES?

1) Be thankful, even when it’s hard.

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
- Philippians 4:12-13 ESV

2) Reframe the picture.

Familiarity often blocks God’s faithfulness. Sameness often dilutes the supernatural.

• Your smile is the dream of the depressed.

• Your house is a dream for the homeless.

• Your horrible job is the dream of the unemployed.

• Your health is the dream of those who are ill.