Joy is absent where gratitude is lacking.
“My heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7 NLT.
My thoughts and comments today are that,
“gratitude is the best attitude.”
Gratitude is natural to the way God created you. There are ample reasons for your giving thanks to God and expressing appreciation to others, when you choose to do so. Look into your heart and you will find cause for gratitude and an abundance of reasons for expressing heartfelt thanks. Only a thankless and unappreciative grouch would lack gratitude.
The psalmist David wrote,“My heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7 NLT. Such an outward expression is sourced in an inward disposition. Thankfulness is an attitude you choose. Thanksgiving is a re related, yet distinct, response you express outwardly.
Like the Psalmist, have you recently, “burst out in songs of thanksgiving,”? Joy and gratitude are emotions that honor God and bless others. If your heart is overflowing with joy, you cannot withhold its sincere expression. Everyone of us has so much for which to be grateful. Related, yet distinct, thankfulness and thanksgiving are similar. Gratitude is a beneficial inward attitude. Giving thanks is the outward, Godly response to the kindness and generosity of both God and others.
Thankfulness is a Christian virtue God placed in yours and my DNA. The Bible sis clear, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV. I think God intended thankfulness to be more natural to all of us than it seems to have become. Both thankfulness and thanksgiving are foundation for, and evidence of, a Godly and healthy lifestyle that is pleasing to God.
The elements of gratitude and giving thanks are diverse. They include an emotion, a decision, and an action. All of those. Gratitude is an attitude which becomes a lifestyle, a natural and proper response for a redeemed heart. Giving thanks begins with your Godly decision to do so. Your decision is then expressed as a corresponding action. An edifying action is born from your decision. Then, your subsequent action becomes a gratifying emotion for yourself and others.
Gratitude is natural to a redeemed life and grateful heart. Peter was correct when he wrote, “You believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” 1 Peter 1:8 NIV. Joy is absent where gratitude is lacking.
Incorrectly, people assume they will give thanks when there are things for which to be thankful. In any and every situation, there are many things for which you can, and should, be thankful to God and others. “ “The Lord is the strength of my life. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7 NLT.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:4-5 NKJV.
The Bible warns of the inclination of the human heart and the unholy company of emotions and behavior that result where gratitude is lacking, described as, “ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control.” Read 2 Timothy 1-5 NIV. A lack of gratitude permits a breeding ground for attitudes far worse, and all of those ungodly.
Today I pray for you to see God’s providence in your daily life.
Christian Communications 2018
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