The power of gratefulness

In my 30 years as a Pastor I have witnessed many things, and observed lots of people’s lives. I have seen two things very clearly when it come to the way people live their lives. Grateful people are without question the happiest people, and selfish people are the most unfulfilled. I developed a saying years ago. Grateful people have great lives. Why is that? The book of Psalms alone is loaded with commands to give thanks to the Lord. Psalm 136:1Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

There is power in gratefulness. The power to overcome discontentment, discouragement, disappointment, and generally a negative outlook on life. I Tim 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

I have also noticed that grateful people are more successful. Being content with what one has does not limit them to what they have. Grateful people tend to be more giving, because they don’t focus on what they have, but what they can give. The Bible tells us that God loves a cheerful giver and the He will supply seed to the sower. Selfish people on the other hand are never satisfied with what they have, it is never enough. When more is never enough how can a person ever be content?

There is a big difference between living for the future and living in the future. Those who live in the future sometimes miss opportunities, joys, and blessings of living in the day. Those who live in the day will enjoy the journey and the future will take care of itself. Example: “I can’t wait for the week end.” What about enjoying the other five days of the week. Can you see the difference?

Paul reminds us that it is not what you have, but who you have that brings peace and rest.

Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Have a great thanksgiving life.

Pastor Leo Kruger of Valley Christian Fellowship is a member of Carson Valley Ministers’ Association.