"What is Lacking?"
- Rita Larson
- Aug 10, 2023
- 3 min read
We've all met people who have a sense of entitlement. Maybe it's that person who jumped in front of you in the grocery line. Perhaps it was someone who demanded to be seen at an appointment when you have been waiting for 30 minutes. Maybe it is that co-worker that always asks to leave early and you are left working late again. Simply put, people with a sense of entitlement think the rules don't apply to them. What is lacking? Gratitude!
We now live in a world where gratitude often takes a backseat to entitlement, but thankfully, as believers, we are in this world but not of this world. The Bible gives us a reminder of the importance of expressing gratitude and be being thankful, knowing all good things come from our Heavenly Father. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” This is a reminder that no matter what we are going through, we should always be thankful for all that God has provided us.
We can see this in Psalms 107:1, which says, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” God is always good and that His mercy endures forever. When we are feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, it’s important to remember that God is always there for us, and He is always good.
In addition to being thankful for God’s goodness, we should also be thankful for the gifts that He has given us. In Ephesians 5:20, we are told to “give thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Be thankful for not only the good things in our lives but also the challenging things. A challenge is an opportunity to grow and improve.
In Colossians 3:15-17, we are told to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Here, the importance of thankfulness is highlighted in the context of peace, wisdom, and singing. Psalm 92:1, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;” which reminds us to express our gratitude to God by giving praise and glorifying Him for His goodness!
Furthermore, we should be thankful for the way that God works in our lives. As Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God is always working on our behalf, even when we don't see it.
Finally, we should be thankful for the way that God loves us. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love him, because he first loved us.” God’s love for us is unconditional and everlasting, and that we can always turn to Him. He is a loving Father and we can always come to Him and He is always there when need Him. He loves and adores us, like no one else ever will, promising never to leave us nor forsake us!
Gratitude can help us to appreciate God’s goodness and recognize His faithfulness in our lives. It can help us to stay focused on God and His grace and goodness, and the abundant riches we have in Him. When we are thankful for what we have, it helps us to be more generous with others and to be more content with what we have. Gratitude also helps us to stay humble and to recognize that, ultimately, all good things come from God. As we express our thankfulness to God, we are reminded of His sovereign power and His great love for us. Take a moment to pause, and say "Thanks!" ©Rita Larson 8/10/2023
Song of the Day:
Commenti