We have good days and bad days. We have days that go as planned and days that don’t. We have pleasant surprises and bombshells that hurt us.
Being thankful saves us from self-centered pride
As he summarized the covenant, Moses predicted that good things would happen to God’s people when they entered the Promised Land. When these good things happened they would be tempted to think they were blessed because they were good people. These thoughts would lead to pride and to their downfall. (Deuteronomy 7:7-11; 8:7-14)
Instead of focusing on themselves they should focus on God. They should not be proud but be thankful. Being thankful would save them from pride.
Being thankful saves us from crippling despair
Philippians was Paul’s most personal letter. Near the end he gave spiritual advice to people he loved. He told them not to despair but to pray. When they prayed they should not to be anxious but thankful. Paul told them that the result of thankful prayer is a mysterious peace from God. (Philippians 4: 5-7)
When we are not thankful
When we are not thankful, we begin to think that we deserve good things and are being wronged when our circumstances do not meet our expectations. We deserve only good things. We are entitled to them. Being thankful rescues us from this divisive self-centeredness.
When was the last time you thanked someone for something?
When was the last time you thanked God for something?
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Thank you, Bob – This is a timely message, especially the last paragraph. It is such a great reminder to us to be thankful EACH DAY!