And whenever the living creatures express glory and honor and thankfulness to the One sitting on the throne, who lives for ever and ever...Rev. 4:9.
According to this text, one of the marks of heavenly life is the constant expression of thankfulness. Those accustomed to having everything they need may find this difficult to understand. We are more likely to complain about our minimal lack of comforts than we are to give thanks for our abundance. What we need is a change of attitude. The difference between thanks and complaints has more to do with our point of view than it does with the actual facts. Let me illustrate.
As a husband I get a bit grumpy whenever my wife hogs the covers. But why don't I let the sudden breeze remind me to be thankful that she is not out somewhere with someone else? And as a parent I get more than grumpy when I've asked one of my children to clean their room and later find them in front of the TV instead. Why doesn't it occur to me to be thankful that my child is at home and not on the streets?
When tax time comes, I complain about all I have to pay. Shouldn't I be thankful instead that I am employed and that I make enough money to be worth taxing? When my children's friends leave a mess after a party, I find it easy to fuss, but wouldn't it be better to be thankful that my children have friends, and that they trust my wife and me enough to bring them over to our house?
The other day when I was complaining about clothes that fit a little too snug, why didn't it occur to me to be thankful that I have more than enough to eat? You see, the difference between complaining and thankfulness is primarily attitude!
When my lawn needs mowing, my windows could use some cleaning, and my gutters require fixing, it reminds me to be thankful that I have a home. When I hear lots of complaints about the government, I can be thankful that we have freedom of speech where I live. When the only parking spot is at the far end of the lot, I can be thankful that I am able to walk and that I have a car. Or when my heating bill is extra large, I can be thankful that I have been warm.
When the woman behind me in church sings off-key, I can be thankful that I can hear. When we have a pile of laundry to wash, dry, and fold, I can be thankful that I have enough clothes. When my muscles ache at the end of the day, I can be thankful that I have the ability to work hard. And when the alarm goes off in the early-morning hours, I can be thankful that I am still alive.
Lord, teach me anew an attitude of gratitude and praise. I want to use this day to practice for the heavenly chorus.
According to this text, one of the marks of heavenly life is the constant expression of thankfulness. Those accustomed to having everything they need may find this difficult to understand. We are more likely to complain about our minimal lack of comforts than we are to give thanks for our abundance. What we need is a change of attitude. The difference between thanks and complaints has more to do with our point of view than it does with the actual facts. Let me illustrate.
As a husband I get a bit grumpy whenever my wife hogs the covers. But why don't I let the sudden breeze remind me to be thankful that she is not out somewhere with someone else? And as a parent I get more than grumpy when I've asked one of my children to clean their room and later find them in front of the TV instead. Why doesn't it occur to me to be thankful that my child is at home and not on the streets?
When tax time comes, I complain about all I have to pay. Shouldn't I be thankful instead that I am employed and that I make enough money to be worth taxing? When my children's friends leave a mess after a party, I find it easy to fuss, but wouldn't it be better to be thankful that my children have friends, and that they trust my wife and me enough to bring them over to our house?
The other day when I was complaining about clothes that fit a little too snug, why didn't it occur to me to be thankful that I have more than enough to eat? You see, the difference between complaining and thankfulness is primarily attitude!
When my lawn needs mowing, my windows could use some cleaning, and my gutters require fixing, it reminds me to be thankful that I have a home. When I hear lots of complaints about the government, I can be thankful that we have freedom of speech where I live. When the only parking spot is at the far end of the lot, I can be thankful that I am able to walk and that I have a car. Or when my heating bill is extra large, I can be thankful that I have been warm.
When the woman behind me in church sings off-key, I can be thankful that I can hear. When we have a pile of laundry to wash, dry, and fold, I can be thankful that I have enough clothes. When my muscles ache at the end of the day, I can be thankful that I have the ability to work hard. And when the alarm goes off in the early-morning hours, I can be thankful that I am still alive.
Lord, teach me anew an attitude of gratitude and praise. I want to use this day to practice for the heavenly chorus.
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