When we’re not thankful
Thus far this month I’ve read many inspiring messages of thankfulness. Although it’s important to be grateful for our blessings each day, often we’re more verbal about thankfulness in November. But what about when we’re not thankful?
What are we not thankful for–and what can we do about it?
Please indulge me for a moment and consider in what areas you’re not experiencing a thankful attitude.
Not thankful
As I ponder on my own question, I can identify some situations when I’m not thankful:
- Conflict within my family or church
- Aggressive drivers
- Rudeness from strangers
- Scammers and solicitation calls
- Intolerance and disrespect for others
If these situations bother me, what can I do about them?
There are other areas such as war, poverty, famine, lawlessness, and lack of world peace that deeply sadden me, and I feel helpless to make a difference.
But I may be able to make a difference in the situations listed a above.
How can we make a difference?
We can be the example of behaviors we value–a positive role model. Not the instigator of conflict, but instead, we can demonstrate a peaceful and loving attitude to others.
Five ways to encourage peace rather than conflict
1. Seek God’s guidance through Scripture reading, Bible study and prayer. He will guide our journey, but we need to listen and be attentive to His direction.
I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints. (Psalm 85:8)
2. Pray for His help to establish behaviors pleasing to our Lord while demonstrating love and kindness to others. He hears and responds to our prayers.
Jesus said, “Everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:8)
3. Seek to demonstrate love and compassion for all, but pray especially for those who perpetuate conflict. They need our prayers.
When a person’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)
4. Never underestimate the importance of our own actions in sharing peace and love with others. Love grows when shared.
In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
5. Don’t give up on being a positive role model for kindness, peace, and love. God is with us in that quest. He will guide us to show love to others, even those who are hard to love.
Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)
What about you? Upon reflection, can you identify something for which you aren’t thankful and be a change agent to help improve that situation?
Please don’t think I’m not thankful. God has blessed me beyond measure and I’m so grateful.
Thank you Katherine for showing how we can do our share to promote peace in any interaction-workplace, family, organizations, etc. We may not see immediate results, but we can remind ourselves of the basics you’ve offered here-rooted in scripture-that show us our part.
Thank you for your encouragement, Marilyn. It’s hard to be kind when people are unkind to us, but Jesus shows us the way. Thank you for you sharing your insightful thoughts. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving.
Katherine, your list shines light on some everyday situations I may encounter and find myself complaining. Thanks for sharing these enlightening Scriptures to help guide thankful thoughts. We can always find a reason to give thanks.
Yes! I agree, Barbara. We are so blessed and have many reasons to give thanks, even when we’re experiencing challenges. Happy Thanksgiving!
I thank God for guidance during those not-so-thankful moments.
Me, too, Diana. I couldn’t face those “not-so-thankful” moments with the Fruit of the Spirit without our Lord’s guidance. Sending best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving for you and your family.
Thanks Katherine. I have been thinking along some of those same lines. There have been some Thanksgivings when a “sacrifice of praise” came from sheer obedience rather than a deep feeling. Those may have been the truest Thanksgivings I have ever had, not filled with happiness, but rather joy for what is ours in Christ. Thanks for the reminder!
Your thoughtful comment touches my heart this morning, Sylvia. I’ve experienced those moments as well. Thank you for reminding me. Hoping your Thanksgiving is filled with joy and love.
Dealing with difficult people is a big one for me. I keep asking God to help me see the person(s) the same way He does. It helps. A lot!
You’ve reminded us of something really important–we must keep asking for our Father’s help in dealing with difficult people and challenging situations, because those difficulties keep on happening. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Happy Thanksgiving!
As much as it’s up to us, we are to strive to live in peace with those around us. God bless, Katherine.
Yes, Nancy, and our loving Father gives us the ability too do that. It isn’t always easy, but with His guidance we can live by the Fruit of the Spirit, sharing love with others (even the unlovable). Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving.
It is the will of God to be thankful. Life’s tough circumstances and our dealings with difficult people don’t naturally evoke our thankfulness. Our thankful hearts are probably seen the most when we’re most challenged. Thanks for sharing Katherine.
I believe you’re right, Lisa. We struggle with the challenges, then we realize how blessed we are to have God with us on the journey. So proud of you and your new book! What a blessing it will be for us and our children and grandchildren. Happy Thanksgiving!
Katherine,
Because of my selfish nature, in a typical day I tend to notice fewer things for which I’m thankful than for the things for which I am NOT thankful. This blog was like an invitation from God that said, “You want to let me shine my light through you? Here’s a way!”
I have the same struggle at times, Barb. You expressed the conundrum so well. Yet even in our failure to gratefully acknowledge every blessing, He is with us. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Gratitude is a BIG deal for me. Once I realized ingratitude was the lens through which I viewed everything else in my life and that was the root of depression, I began journaling daily on all the good things God has done. It’s made a world of difference! Thanks for this essential post, Katherine.
Your response reminds me of myself in my early marriage. I’m so thankful our loving Father pulled me out of that pit. Life is so much brighter and happier when we look at the blessings rather than the “I wanna” aspect. Happy Thanksgiving, Mary and family!
It’s hard to be thankful in situations I detest – you list a few of them – but I can be thankful for them because they challenge and help me grow spiritually.
I understand and agree, Candyce. We learn so much from those hard challenges. And God grows us and blesses us as He goes with us through the trials. Wishing you joy and blessings this Thanksgiving.
Amen Ms. Katherine. Whenever possible, “seek peace.” Far too many of us forget these lessons my friend. As you mentioned, I too have many of those same “triggers.” I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not wrong to feel these things, I think it the human condition, but to act upon them. Or perhaps more appropriately, to allow them to act upon us. Great post, and a wonderful example of the importance of taking every thought captive, then filtering it through Christ’s lens. God’s blessings my friend.
You are right, my friend. We’re supposed to “take captive” those sinful thoughts that lead us to surrender to the temptation of retaliation or negative confrontation. But sometimes those thoughts persist, but we don’t have to act upon them. We can choose the right path, the Fruit of the Spirit path, in our interactions with others. Wishing all of Cross-Dubya family a health and happy Thanksgiving.
Katherine, this is a reminder for us all. We all face those who are challenging, hard to love, and are argumentative. “Love grows when shared.” Those may be the very ones who need love the most. May we be those who spread love, spread peace, spread hope, and in so doing, spread Christ. If we love well, we may not even need to use words 🙂
I love your prayer, Joanne. Thanks so much for sharing that message of love. Father, may it be so. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Joanne.
Sometimes I get caught up in the busyness of life and neglect to offer adequate expressions of gratitude. Reading Scripture focuses my attention on God and the many reasons believers have to give thanks. I appreciate the reminder that we can influence others by our grateful hearts and words, Katherine.
Reading Scripture, meditating on His word, and prayer can keep our minds with an attitude of gratitude. Thank you for sharing you encouraging insight, Jeannie. I pray your Thanksgiving is filled with love and joy.
We need to seek peace daily. I struggle with some of the same issues that cause me to be unthankful. Good recommendations on how to improve and change those thoughts to one of thankfulness. Thank you Katherine
I thinking seeking peace is ongoing and requires continuous persistence and practice. Thank you for sharing words of wisdom Yvonne. Happy Thanksgiving!
A verse I like to think upon when I’m frustrated about what is happening around me is Psalm 46:10. “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” Happy Thanksgiving, Katherine!
Thank you for sharing those reassuring words from God’s Word, LuAnn. YES! When we are under the shield of His loving and powerful protection, we have everything we need.