Attitude of Gratitude

November 23rd, 2016

Ephesians 5:19-20

Paul said to give thanks to God always for all things. Sounds like words you’d expect from someone who was best buds with the King of kings—someone who was always on a spiritual high . . . right?

On the contrary, Paul’s life was far from privileged. In fact, Paul wrote the book of Ephesians sometime during his two years of house arrest in Rome. Far from living a carefree existence, Paul was confined to a house where he was chained, probably to a Roman soldier, with no hope in the foreseeable future of becoming a free man. Under the same circumstances, many of us might complain, become bitter, or even blame God. But Paul’s heart was filled with gratitude. He knew what it was to have little and much, to be starving and well fed, and he’d learned to be content in all situations.

This Thanksgiving season, take inventory of your own blessings. Keep your focus on God. As the culture ventures into a celebration of materialism, dwell on the goodness of God. There is always something to be thankful for.