Last week, Bonnie posted on gratitude and how to seek a proper attitude - ever notice grateful attitude and gratitude go together? This week, Bonnie shares about the blessings of maintaining this attitude!
What are the blessings of a spirit of gratitude?
(1) It brings us closer to God. Psalm 22:3 tells us God inhabits the praises of His people.
(2) It helps us realize how He's working in our lives, our attitude is improved, our mind renewed, and we are filled with joy.
(3) It shows God how grateful we are for Who He is - it says we love and worship Him and need His help.
(4) It helps us be able to see a negative thing in a positive way and determine that we can't be defeated because God is on our side. As humans, we drift toward the negative if not controlled by the Holy Spirit - we don't have to "try" to complain, but effort and faith are needed to maintain a thankful attitude. We need to learn to thank God in everything because complaining opens a door for satan. It's not easy to do, easy to forget how blessed we are, and easier to feel sorry for ourselves when things happen that don't seem fair. It's necessary to keep reminding ourselves to trust God and believe He will work it out for our good. He has promised this if we love Him, pray, and want His will (Romans 8:28). Fix your mind on things worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8) - remember and talk about them. Having a good attitude is what glorifies God, maintaining gratefulness is something we need to do on purpose.
(5) Victory comes by being thankful in every situation and believing God is working everything out for our good.
Here are a few of the Bible verses about gratitude - if you need help giving thanks to God. It doesn't come naturally to everyone.
(1) Colossians 3:17
(2) Colossians 3:15
(3) Ephesians 5:20
(4) Ephesians 1:16
(5) Psalms 135:1
(6) Psalms 107:1
(7) Psalms 118:24
I Thessalonians 5:18 - In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Please leave a comment for an entry in this week's GIVEAWAY!! We're giving away two copies of Suzanne Woods Fisher's latest novel, a colonial Amish story.
I love this post Bonnie. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Tina
Thank you, Tina, and thanks for reading and commenting!! Blessings to you, as well - my friend!!
DeleteThank you for the wonderful post, Bonnie! It's so much better to concentrate on and be grateful for the blessings we DO have, instead of focusing on the negative. I would do well to remember that. I'm trying, but some days are still pity party days.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, however, we ALL have those "pity party" days, Diana. God knows and expects that as we're human, it isn't easy to maintain positivity 24/7 when you have chronic health issues or other trials - on a daily basis. Knowing that we will never be able to obtain perfection allows us to "cut ourselves some slack" on those days. Thanks for your honest comments. Hugs and prayers!!
DeleteGreat blog on thankfulness! Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shelia - I appreciate your reading and commenting!!
DeleteThere is always something to be grateful Blessings are always to be found we just have to take a moment to look to for them .Blessings ,DanaGirl
ReplyDeleteAmen, Dana!! So many blessings that we tend to take the most common of them for granted, at times. Thank you for your comments, blessings to you - as well, Dana!!
DeleteWould love to win Suzanne Woods Fisher's newest book. It looks really interesting. One book that really helped remind me of the importance of giving thanks was One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I also loved something I saw once - "What if you only had today what you'd given thanks for yesterday?" And another thing that has resonated with me is the idea of speaking or writing our gratitude down - concrete, eternal statements of gratitude, because once words are spoken aloud or created, they can't be taken back.
ReplyDeleteWonderful comments - thank you so much!! Love Ann Voskamp, I have her book, also. She has amazing spiritual maturity for a woman so young. I think keeping a gratefulness journal and reviewing our answered prayers, favors shown, blessings received, etc. - on a daily basis - is a wonderful way to help remind us of just how much God loves us and has done for us. Thanks for that beautiful quote - would love to have it framed and displayed in my home - a true eye-opener and something we should be mindful of every day!! Perhaps, you'll soon have a copy of Suzanne's book for which to be grateful!! And we at OWG would be grateful to have you stop by again very soon!!
DeleteThank you for this wonderful post, Bonnie! God is so good and our blessings abound. One of our great blessings is to have Christian authors who write their beautiful books. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Amen, Melanie, our blessings continually abound because of our loving God!! Books written by Christian authors dedicated to inspiring readers and spreading God's love through the writing gift He has given them - are an indescribable blessing!! Truly overwhelming when one considers that God can use those words to make an eternal impact on reader's lives for many generations to come. I'm so grateful for our Christian authors and the many times their God-inspired words have touched my heart, soul, and emotions!! Thank you for the reminder, Melanie!!
DeleteBeing thankful in all things is my focus word & I thank you for the gratitude post..
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
dkstevensne@outlook.com
What a wonderful focus, Deanna!! Blessings to you, also - I'm grateful you took the time to read and comment!!
DeleteI love this blessing I even Pinned it so that I can remember it and later print it out to put on my wall. Thank you for how to use the blessing in your life.
ReplyDeleteOh, Tammy - you're more than welcome!! I'm always grateful when the words God gives me and my readers, through my post and our comments - speak to others. One of the ways we can give honor, praise, and thanks to Him for His love - and the true purpose of the post.
DeleteWhat a great reminder to be thankful in every circumstance! Thanks Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteNot always easy to be thankful in every circumstance, however, doing so can reap peace and contentment, I've found - and honors Him. I so appreciate your taking time to read and comment, MaryLu - your spiritual blog posts ALWAYS speak to me, as do your books. Thank you for letting God use you to shine His light through the gift of writing He has bestowed on you!!
DeleteThank you Bonnie for this beautiful post Bonnie. We can all use a little reminder that many things are beyond our control and it's best to just leave it in his hands. We have so many things to be greatful for and we need to appreciate what we have !
ReplyDeleteSo true, Deanne!! For many years, I wasn't very successful in controlling my life. True, lasting happiness came through yielding to His life plan for my life. He, alone, knows the future and our needs - a loving, caring, and giving Father is He - so undeserving are we!! Thanks for your beautiful comments!!
DeleteThanks for this post Bonnie. Something we all need to remember. I do my share of complaining about my aches and pains, but also tell GOD I am thankful it isn't worse. For every situation that happens we can see others much worse off. We could be paralyzed, etc. I'm thankful HE took my brother home out of his pain if it wasn't HIS will to heal him. But, hurts just the same. I really don't complain about having old stuff. That doesn't bother me as long as I have what I really need. And, HE provides that and so I am thankful. He has given me and all of my Lloyd family so many miracles in my lifetime. I try to be thankful for everything. But think we all forget some things. He tells s not to think about yesterday for it gone and we can't have another day no matter how much we worry, nor about tomorrow for it will have it's own worries. Not always easy. I would love to win Suzanne's new book. She is a very good author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win it. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Always glad for your insightful comments, Maxie!! Yes, seeing those people who have more trials than us - always puts things in perspective, doesn't it?? God uses our trials to create miracles - every day. And we are so much happier when we can let the past go and trust God for our future.
DeleteI'm so glad your brother is no longer in pain - God healed him, His way, by taking him home. Saying a prayer for you, Maxie!! Good luck in winning one of Suzanne's wonderful books.
Thanks for the great post and for encouraging us all in this, Bonnie!! I used to much more of half glass empty kind of gal, but now I much prefer to look at that same glass as half full... And boy does it ever change our countenance and attitudes! It does us well also, to remember that God is always working behind the scenes and hasn't forgotten us. I guess sometimes it is easier to look back on our lives and see that after we've lived a fair few years, but when we fully realize that, it's a great encouragement when going through life's trials!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Noela - gratefulness does change one's countenance, attitude, and helps direct thoughts toward God instead of oneself. Changes often come slowly - at times, making it harder to remember He is in control and working things to our good. Our trials promote spiritual maturity - isn't it a blessing when we are able to look back and see how He was working things to our good?? Thanks for your wonderful comments, Noela - hugs!!
DeleteAn attitude of gratitude certainly can be difficult to have/cultivate but it often does help me, when my mood is starting to take a dip or my mind is bugging the heck out of me with unhealthy thoughts, to purposefully CHOOSE to start looking for and picking out things I'm thankful for. I need to remember to have more of an overall grateful attitude when things are good and when things are bad. Sometimes I forget to be, or don't realize opportunities for thankfulness when things are going just peachy so I have to work on and pray about that also. But I know that in time, it will become second nature to me as it once was if I keep "practicing" being grateful.
ReplyDeleteHi, Megan, so glad to "see" you again!!
DeleteI agree that, for many people, having an attitude of gratitude can be difficult, is a matter of choice, and must be cultivated by repetitive use. It then will become easier, even natural - it definitely is a mood elevator, which enhances the benefits. I appreciate your taking the time to read the blog and post your insightful comments.
Continued prayers!!
It can be so diffcult to be grateful when circumstances don't go our way!
ReplyDeleteIt can be so diffcult to be grateful when circumstances don't go our way!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Michelle!! As a person who has dealt with chronic illness for years, both in myself and 3 senior family members, worked more than 1 job at a time for many years (I have since retired, due to health issues), and dealt with numerous traumatic relationship issues - I can relate to, and sympathize with, others who are having numerous kinds of problems.
DeleteWe aren't perfect and there will be times when it is more difficult to be grateful than others, however, I have found that maintaining a close relationship with God by bible study, prayer, contact with godly friends, listening to Christian music, and keeping a gratefulness journal-make it easier to maintain an attitude of gratefulness, which in turn, can lift spirits and make difficult circumstances easier to deal with.
I'm offering a prayer for each person who comments on my post - for guidance, help, and comfort re: difficult circumstances they may be undergoing. I am grateful you commented, Michelle - please stop by again!!
Bonnie
ReplyDeleteGratitude is so very important Im glad you show it to all around you
God bless you
Chris
Thank you, Chris!! Yes, I think gratitude blesses the giver as well as the receiver and helps keep one from getting so "hung up" on herself and problems. Blessings to you, as well, Chris - I'm grateful you took the time to stop by and hope to "see" you again soon!!
ReplyDelete