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- Oct 26, 2007
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In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Sometimes knowing God’s will for your life is as simple as reading His Word. For example, it’s always His will for you to express gratitude. Wisdom proclaims thankfulness as a daily exercise matching actions with God’s will, but at the end of the day you might discover some gratitude you still need to express.
You might be standing in the way of God’s will. Every time you choose self-pity over gratitude, God’s plans are set aside and delayed. The same is true whenever you entertain greed, envy, lust, covetousness, hatred, bitterness, selfishness, and cynicism.
The list is longer, but the common reason for setting aside God’s will is…self. When you pay too much attention to what you don’t have, what you want, and how others have hurt you, then there’s no room for authentic gratitude.
God is good, and He supplies everything you need to live. He sends bonus moments like beautiful sunsets, impressive scenery, and the love of family and friends. Yet it’s possible to develop a blindness to the good things because difficulties frequently demand your attention…and God’s will is set aside for another day.
You can’t be thankful when you think you deserve more than you have. When you’re grateful for what you have, you not only position yourself to follow God’s will, but you also give yourself the greatest chance to enjoy contentment.
Sometimes knowing God’s will for your life is as simple as reading His Word. For example, it’s always His will for you to express gratitude. Wisdom proclaims thankfulness as a daily exercise matching actions with God’s will, but at the end of the day you might discover some gratitude you still need to express.
You might be standing in the way of God’s will. Every time you choose self-pity over gratitude, God’s plans are set aside and delayed. The same is true whenever you entertain greed, envy, lust, covetousness, hatred, bitterness, selfishness, and cynicism.
The list is longer, but the common reason for setting aside God’s will is…self. When you pay too much attention to what you don’t have, what you want, and how others have hurt you, then there’s no room for authentic gratitude.
God is good, and He supplies everything you need to live. He sends bonus moments like beautiful sunsets, impressive scenery, and the love of family and friends. Yet it’s possible to develop a blindness to the good things because difficulties frequently demand your attention…and God’s will is set aside for another day.
You can’t be thankful when you think you deserve more than you have. When you’re grateful for what you have, you not only position yourself to follow God’s will, but you also give yourself the greatest chance to enjoy contentment.
