“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
Life happens when you’ve made other plans. But no matter what happens, God intends that we who belong to Christ should be grateful. Events are important, but God is even more interested in your attitude when things happen. Will your attitude be one of gratitude?
It’s a cinch to be thankful on days the sun shines, our hair behaves perfectly, there’s no school, and we’re going shopping. Anyone in the world can be grateful on days like that. But can you be grateful no matter what happens? Like when your little sister pesters you, or it rains on the day of your birthday picnic? Believe it or not, yes, you can even be thankful then.
As David wrote, “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises” (Psalm 34:1 NLT). Develop a thankful heart, one that looks every day for things to be grateful for. Then you’ll find it much easier to be thankful when things happen that you don’t like and didn’t want. A heart full of gratitude to God is a joyful heart, no matter what happens.
More to Explore: Ephesians 5:20
Girl Talk: Do you have a grateful heart? If not, do you desire to have a thankful heart?
God Talk: “Lord, please develop a thankful heart within me. I praise you right now for all of the blessings in my life. I love you. Amen.”
From No Boys Allowed by Kristi Holl