A Lifestyle of Gratitude
When I was a freshman in college, I had a Peanuts comic strip taped to my desk and in it, per the usual theme, bad things happened to Charlie Brown (I can’t remember which bad things…). What I do remember is the second to last frame of the comic Charlie Brown is lying in bed staring up at the ceiling and the thought bubble says, “Why me, God?” In the last frame there is a thought bubble that comes from heaven that says, “Nothing personal. Your number just came up.”
Life is hard. Even on a good day, things happen that are challenging and can cause us to question the goodness of God. We wrestle with a lack of gratitude for all of the difficulties and disappointments that fuel our fears and disillusionment that keeps us from experiencing God’s best in any given situation. With the promise of God still in force—even in the midst of aching pain and struggle—with His peace and presence still available to those who still rely on Him, we too often choose to find our solace in these two plaintive words: “Why me?”
How often have you clung to this complaint, hoping to draw from it enough strength to protect your heart from further pain and disillusionment? Where does gratitude fit into a heart filled with pain and suffering? True, Christ-centered, grace-motivated gratitude fits everywhere, especially in life’s most desperate moments and challenging situations. Gratitude can give hope when no other answers are found. It transforms overwhelmed strugglers into triumphant conquerors.
Gratitude is a lifestyle.
A hard-fought, grace-infused, biblical lifestyle. A lifestyle that goes beyond being thankful for the gift we have received from Christ—a lifestyle that reflects the glory and the transforming power of gratitude that is evident when one lives a life that fully acknowledges the Giver of every good gift and how to live fully as recipients of His redeeming grace. Here are some things to consider over the next two weeks:
What could be different in your life if you chose gratitude as a lifestyle?
When faced with pain and suffering, where do you turn for comfort? How could you incorporate gratitude next time?
What is one small change that you could make to transform your struggle into a triumph?
Gratitude is a choice. Remember, it isn’t personal; God isn’t picking on you. Life can be hard, but take heart! He who has overcome this world lives in you—and that is something to be grateful for!
Joyfully and expectantly,
Heather