An Attitude of Gratitude

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        Having an attitude of gratitude and a heart filled with thanksgiving will help us grow in God and grow closer to God. We should never murmur and complain especially when we have so much to be thankful for. There are so many less fortunate people in the world who would love to trade places with us. When we murmur and complain we open the door for the enemy. Our mouths should be used to glorify God, to worship Him, to praise Him, and to bless His holy name. We should be using our mouths to magnify and lift up the name of the Lord. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6 NKJV) Everything we do should glorify and magnify God, therefore; we should not be complaining, gossiping, murmuring or using vulgar and foul language (including profanity). When we have an attitude of gratitude and a thankful heart we bear the righteous fruit of God.

        The Israelites spent forty years wandering around in the wilderness because of their disobedience (rebellion), doubt, unbelief, murmuring, complaining, and gossiping. They complained about Moses, about the journey, and about the food. They complained about anything and everything they could find – putting their mouths on things they didn’t understand nor knew anything about. What should have been an 11-day journey turned into a 40-year trek because they disobeyed and rebelled against God, didn’t appreciate what they had, and were not content with what God had given them.

        The Israelites didn’t recognize the hand of God moving and working in their lives. They weren’t appreciative of His mercy and grace. Instead of being thankful for what He had already done in their lives, for where He had brought them from (out of the land of Egypt; out of slavery) and being grateful for where He was leading them to (the land of Canaan, the land of milk and honey; “The Promise Land”) they were ungrateful and unappreciative (Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).

         The Israelites should have been worshipping and praising God for the many blessings He bestowed upon them; for releasing His divine protection and provision over their lives. He spared their lives by parting the Red Sea making a way of escape from Pharaoh, He kept their clothes and shoes from getting old and worn, He protected them from the poisonous snakes, and He supplied them with food and nourishment (manna which was bread from heaven - what the angels ate) and when that wasn’t enough He gave them quail.

How many of us are exemplifying this same kind of negative and displeasing behavior?

How many of us are murmuring and complaining and blocking our blessings? 

How many of us are not content with what we have or are just never satisfied? 

How many of us are disobeying and rebelling against God?

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      So many of us are unappreciative for what God has done and is still doing in our lives. If we aren’t grateful for what we call “the little things” in life then, why should we expect God to entrust us with bigger, better, and greater things? If we can’t be faithful over a few things then, why should God trust us to be faithful over many? His lord said to him ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’ (Matthew 25:23 NKJV).

       Giving thanks to God helps us realize how He’s working in our lives and it gives us a new perspective on life. Choosing an attitude of gratitude and giving God praise brings us closer to God and strengthens our relationship with Him. Let us obey God and give Him all the glory, honor, and praise that’s due His holy name. God bless you!

​Sincerely,