Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday May 12, 2010

If I were to ask you "What do you think is one of the top five attitudes of a happy person," could you give at least one?

I am going to share one with you in a few lines, one that is so powerful that there can be no true happiness without it. I know many people who have "more" than the rest of us even dream of, yet unhappiness is the marking feature of their existence. The Bible speaks of this attribute often and encourages its development. The lack of this neglected trait is mentioned as one of the major signs of a corrupt society.

In the book, "Giving Thanks: The Gift of Gratitude" MJ Ryan writes:

"Consciously cultivating thankfulness is a journey of the soul, one that begins when we look around us and see the positive effects that gratitude creates."

The oft used cliché "Maintain an attitude of gratitude" may be as beneficial as visiting a five hundred dollar per hour psychiatrist. Or more so if the truth be known.

The term, "thanks" is used 73 times in the Bible, even Christ gave thanks. Paul teaches in Romans 1:21 the negative aspects of failing to be thankful:

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

The heart that is absent thankfulness is always looking for "something" to fill the emptiness associated with never being satisfied with God's provision or what another offers in friendship or love.

In our mad search for "happiness" we seem to miss another Biblical note from Paul's pen and thus make counselor's rich:

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Give this idea of "thankfulness" some serious time today.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit.

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