Do you know anyone with the amazing `ability' to turn the best situations into something miserable? Some can always be counted on to point out the flaw, to pick out the spot, to find the downside. Not surprisingly, such people do not lead particularly happy lives. Being around them is like being near a great pit of emotional quicksand. If you get too close you might be pulled into that gloomy world of negativity!
Others find reasons to trust the Lord in the most desperate circumstances. I have little tolerance for rose-colored glasses that are used to deny reality. Sometimes life is very sad and no amount of spin can change that. Yet, even in the tragedy, faith makes a difference. Those who choose to trust, find encouragement in the Lord, and spread a kind of sunshine everywhere they go.
Robert A. Emmons, in an article on "The Joy of Thanks," considers the physical and psychological benefits of thankfulness to be almost equal to that of therapy: "My colleagues and I are finding that gratitude, which we define as a felt sense of wonder, thankfulness, and appreciation for life, is more than simply a pleasant emotion to experience or a polite sentiment to express. It's, or at least can be, a basic disposition, one that seems to make lives happier, healthier, more fulfilling—and even longer." According to Emmons, recent psychological research shows that:
• A person experiencing gratitude is protected from the destructive impulses of envy and greed…
• The practice of gratitude as a spiritual discipline may cure excessive materialism and its attendant negative emotions of envy, resentment, disappointment, and bitterness…
• Gratitude supports well-being by displacing resentment, regret, and other psychological states deleterious to long-term happiness…
• Grateful people experience higher levels of positive emotions—happiness, vitality, optimism, and hope—and greater satisfaction with life. In other words, Thanksgiving could also be called `Thanks-therapy.'
Living thankfully, with a generous child-like faith (Note – not childish!) is a learned art. Regardless of our personality type we can choose to trust God, be thankful, and bless others!
In an imperative voice - that is, as direct commands that are not optional- the Bible says,
“Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100 NLT
Before you close this CoffeeBreak, close your eyes and express thankfulness to the Lord for two things. Make it real! “Praise the Lord that I’m still breathing today” isn’t what you’re reaching for in this exercise. Be genuinely thankful. “Acknowledge that the Lord is God!” You will find new strength to overcome the `joy-busters' that surround us: envy, resentment, and bitterness. A great follow-up would be a note to two people who have made your life brighter. A two-line email will bless them and lift your spirits.
Here’s a word from the Word, an ancient hymn of the people of the Lord.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever." (Psalm 136:1-9, NIV)
_______________________
"Father, give me eyes to see the wonder that surrounds me.
Holy Spirit, I ask that you work in me to overcome my sinful tendency to complain and to compare.
Teach me to be a true worshipper that gives you the praise that is rightfully yours.
Help me to put to death the pre-occupation with myself that blocks acceptance of life as it is rather than as I think it must be.
With faith and trust in your care, I will choose to live with an attitude of gratitude.
In Jesus' name. Amen."
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