In Gratitude, There Is Joy

Good Morning!! We crab, about our jobs, our bosses, our cars and our homes. Thousands of people struggle daily with discouragement and frustration,...or at least with discontentment, even though they are surrounded by prosperity and property. Why is this? Why does there seem to be so little contentment, in the midst of such enormous wealth? Perhaps it is because we have neglected to develop grateful hearts. If we pray at all,...then our prayers are largely taken up with requests for family and friends and health and blessing. But how often do we pause to bless the Lord, to praise Him for the many benefits He has given to us already?

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—Psalm 103:2 (NIV)

In today's verse,  we are encouraged to develop the habit of gratefulness. Not a single blessing of God should be taken for granted,...not a single benefit should come to us, without our carefully marking it as yet another unmerited favor,...from our heavenly Father. It is also interesting that this admonition is an entirely inward one. The psalmist is actually speaking to himself, addressing his own soul. He is keeping a close check on his spirit and correcting trends that he sees there toward ingratitude,...complaining,...or dissatisfaction. As we ought also, to stir ourselves up to habitual, genuine, God-centered gratitude,...which will then lead us to habitual, genuine, God-centered praise.

In the muck, clamor, and distractions of life, how easily we forget the Lord's many blessings to us.

Holy Spirit of God, help us to be mindful, and grateful always, In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

"The naked truth is always better, than a dressed up lie."