Attitude of Gratitude

Don't you just love when God is teaching you a lesson and He begins connecting the dots for you?

During Sunday School our class was reading and studying Hebrews 13. Verse 15 really resonated with me.

Let us, then, always offer praise to God as our sacrifice through Jesus, which is the offering presented by lips that confess him as Lord.  Hebrews 13:15

Always. Offer praise no matter the situation. I struggle with that ~ in thought and in practice. Is that even possible?

Fast forward to the Sunday Sermon. Pastor Joel was beginning a series of Advent sermons on "How to Have a Joy-Filled Christmas." The first sermon discussed choosing to be thankful. He explained that there is a difference between being thankful in every situation versus being thankful for every situation. I had never thought of it like that before.

Pastor Joel also shared with us the Thankfulness Scale (by Lyle Welty):

Level 1 ~ Complaining and grumbling

Level 2 ~ Rarely Give Thanks

Level 3 ~ Thanking God for obvious physical and spiritual blessings

Level 4 ~ Giving thanks in every situation and circumstance

Level 5 ~ Thanking God for who and what He is. In other words, loving the giver more than the gift.

That really gave me pause...

Where is my heart? Is it thankful or grumbling? Do I truly have an attitude of gratitude?

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

It is God's will for us to give thanks in everything! It is a command, not a suggestion (thanks for the reminder, Pastor J). Can I do it in my own strength? Uhhhh, no. But with Christ all things are possible!

Abba Father,
Create in me a grateful heart that gives thanks in all things. Help me to hold my thoughts captive to Christ. Let the words of my mouth adore you and the work of my hands bring you glory and be an offering of thanksgiving. May I give you praise continually, for you are the Most High God, and are worthy of our praise! Hallelujah!