Gratitude Adjustment
One thing that I love about technology is the way that it connects us, one to another. Whether it be a post on social media, a meeting on Zoom, or a quick call on FaceTime, we can reach anyone anywhere, in an instant. Specifically with social media, we can share our lives with many, giving insight to the many things we experience from day to day. The thing about social media is, we get to pick and choose what we share. We have the ability to make our lives appear the way we want it to, without giving the full picture of what is really going on. Unfortunately, our human nature sees what everyone else is doing and then instead of cheering them on for their joyful moments, we begin to look at our own circumstances and decide that we don’t have enough.
Why do we do that? Why do the joys and successes of others cause us to question where we are in our own lives? There are many answers to this question, but if I had to choose one answer, it would be a lack of gratitude. When we are intentional about living our lives with a heart posture of gratitude for the way that God has blessed us, it’s really hard to desire the life of others. (Galatians 6:4) One thing I realized in my young adult life is, you can see a person’s life and wish your life was like theirs, but you better be prepared to also work as hard as they work and deal with the many trials they deal with that you never hear about and never see. One thing that we know from God is that we are all unique. (Psalm 139:13-14, Ephesians 2:10) The more we see the lives of others and try to make it our own, it’s as if we are communicating to God that we are not pleased or satisfied with our own lives. Because God created each of us to fulfill a purpose, there is no need to try to be someone else. God wants you to be the best YOU that you can be. You will never be able to be someone else, so why waste your time traveling that road?
If you are struggling with jealousy, envy, or discontentment, there are a few things you can do, all of which are pleasing God:
1. Run to Him – We have a Savior in Jesus and a Father in God who wants us to talk to him. Because God created you, he already knows you; but God wants you to trust him with the things that plague you, trouble you, and cause you to act ugly. (Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7) The one thing about God that we can always count on is he loves us – all of us – the real us.(Romans 5:8, John 3:16) He knows you are jealous. He knows when you are unhappy. He knows that our hearts will deceive us. (Jeremiah 17:9) Going to God and confessing those things in prayer lifts a burden and allows God to begin working in our lives. Believers have the privilege of the Holy Spirit being there to help us, guide us, and comfort us (seasons of discontentment are no exception to this). Go to God and trust Him to work in your heart.
2. Take Inventory – When we are prayerful and work to have a heart of thanksgiving, it’s amazing what God can do. If you take inventory on all of the many ways that God has blessed you throughout your life, I’m sure your blessings far outweigh what you view as missing in your life. God gives us the vehicle of prayer not only to ask for things that we desire, but to thank him for all that He has done. (Colossians 4:2, Romans 12:12) All of us at one time or another have received thanks from someone for something kind we may have done. There are few things in this world that fill our hearts more than experiencing genuine gratitude. That is exactly what we owe God. There is no price that we can ever repay for Jesus dying on the cross and saving our lives; but we can and should give Him thanks. (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Timothy 4:4)
3. Worship – Oh the joy our heart will experience when worship God the Father. Praise is such a powerful thing, and when we praise, we are showing an outward expression of our thankfulness. (Psalm 95:6, Psalm 29:2) When we worship, we don’t do so because we want something, we do so because we recognize God for who he is – our provider, healer, and sustainer. God is God Almighty, and for that reason alone, we give him worship and praise. (Psalm 71:8, Psalm 105:2)
As we continue to live each day, let us remember that it’s never too late to turn to Jesus and live life the way He wants us to. (Luke 19:10, 2 Peter 3:9) Jesus wants us to have an abundant life led by heart of thanksgiving for all he has done and all he continues to do. As we go to God in prayer, take inventory of our blessings, and worship God for being our everything, we can truly pivot our perspective and Glorify God with our entire heart (Psalm 103:1)…a true benefit of a gratitude adjustment.
References
Why do we do that? Why do the joys and successes of others cause us to question where we are in our own lives? There are many answers to this question, but if I had to choose one answer, it would be a lack of gratitude. When we are intentional about living our lives with a heart posture of gratitude for the way that God has blessed us, it’s really hard to desire the life of others. (Galatians 6:4) One thing I realized in my young adult life is, you can see a person’s life and wish your life was like theirs, but you better be prepared to also work as hard as they work and deal with the many trials they deal with that you never hear about and never see. One thing that we know from God is that we are all unique. (Psalm 139:13-14, Ephesians 2:10) The more we see the lives of others and try to make it our own, it’s as if we are communicating to God that we are not pleased or satisfied with our own lives. Because God created each of us to fulfill a purpose, there is no need to try to be someone else. God wants you to be the best YOU that you can be. You will never be able to be someone else, so why waste your time traveling that road?
If you are struggling with jealousy, envy, or discontentment, there are a few things you can do, all of which are pleasing God:
1. Run to Him – We have a Savior in Jesus and a Father in God who wants us to talk to him. Because God created you, he already knows you; but God wants you to trust him with the things that plague you, trouble you, and cause you to act ugly. (Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7) The one thing about God that we can always count on is he loves us – all of us – the real us.(Romans 5:8, John 3:16) He knows you are jealous. He knows when you are unhappy. He knows that our hearts will deceive us. (Jeremiah 17:9) Going to God and confessing those things in prayer lifts a burden and allows God to begin working in our lives. Believers have the privilege of the Holy Spirit being there to help us, guide us, and comfort us (seasons of discontentment are no exception to this). Go to God and trust Him to work in your heart.
2. Take Inventory – When we are prayerful and work to have a heart of thanksgiving, it’s amazing what God can do. If you take inventory on all of the many ways that God has blessed you throughout your life, I’m sure your blessings far outweigh what you view as missing in your life. God gives us the vehicle of prayer not only to ask for things that we desire, but to thank him for all that He has done. (Colossians 4:2, Romans 12:12) All of us at one time or another have received thanks from someone for something kind we may have done. There are few things in this world that fill our hearts more than experiencing genuine gratitude. That is exactly what we owe God. There is no price that we can ever repay for Jesus dying on the cross and saving our lives; but we can and should give Him thanks. (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Timothy 4:4)
3. Worship – Oh the joy our heart will experience when worship God the Father. Praise is such a powerful thing, and when we praise, we are showing an outward expression of our thankfulness. (Psalm 95:6, Psalm 29:2) When we worship, we don’t do so because we want something, we do so because we recognize God for who he is – our provider, healer, and sustainer. God is God Almighty, and for that reason alone, we give him worship and praise. (Psalm 71:8, Psalm 105:2)
As we continue to live each day, let us remember that it’s never too late to turn to Jesus and live life the way He wants us to. (Luke 19:10, 2 Peter 3:9) Jesus wants us to have an abundant life led by heart of thanksgiving for all he has done and all he continues to do. As we go to God in prayer, take inventory of our blessings, and worship God for being our everything, we can truly pivot our perspective and Glorify God with our entire heart (Psalm 103:1)…a true benefit of a gratitude adjustment.
References
- Bible Study Tools Staff. (2024, January 30). Bible Verses About God's Love. Retrieved from Bible Study Tools: https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-gods-love/
- Biblica, Inc. (1984, 2011). The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Harper Collins Publishers.
- Seidler, T. (2024, March 15). Bible Verses About Being Unique. Retrieved from Bible Verses: https://www.bibleverses.com/bible-verses-about-being-unique/
- Tyndale House Foundation. (1996, 2004, 2015). Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois. All rights reserved.: Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
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