“Give thanks in all circumstances , for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
This verse came to my mind earlier this year when I was talking to a homeless man I met. That particular day I was a bit grumpy but as I was speaking to him I started to feel guilty because I realised how ungrateful I had been. I had been worried about my future so much that I forgot to give thanks for what I already have now, and when I told him this he encouraged me not to be worried and things will work out!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
The man I was talking to didn’t have much but he was still satisfied with the little he did and he was also able to encourage me.
God reminded me that we need to be grateful for everything we have. Some people don’t have half as much as we do.
If you are struggling with having a grateful heart, just remember what God has done for you in the past. If you still can’t think of something remember He “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” – John 3:16. And the fact that you are alive is enough to give him praises for! Here’s a short acronym that I came up with to help myself remember to be grateful:
Give thanks to God
Remember everything he has done
All the days he has blessed you with
Think of his love for you
Everything around you
Find time to praise him for it
Understand he is always good
Love is God and God is love
My mum often reminds me that there are people in the world that are in a worse place then you are and they’re wishing they have what you have! It could be your health, your education, your food, family or even clothes . So try not to complain but in all circumstances give thanks.
