A Thankful Spirit

Have I been discontent about my lot in life? Do I daily remember to thank God for my husband?

Would my friends describe me as joyful, thankful and content?

Am I willing to lay down any grievance toward my husband for the hope of a heavenly marriage?

You might be one of the women who often complains about her family’s lowly financial state and how she must “do without” because her husband “cannot support the family decently”. I know women who remain perpetually discontented because they must live with stained carpet and damaged furniture. 

Some women learn to accept the poor state of their physical surroundings. They don’t want to be carnally-minded. They live only for the eternal. So they save their disapproving expressions for those times when they think it necessary to remind their husbands of how sad they are that he sits in front of the TV, plays video games, or engages in any number of carnal activities. They keep the pressure on ~ just like the Holy Spirit would do. At least, that’s their justification for doing his job so “faithfully”.

Some women get it in their minds that if the family would just move to the country, they would be happy and their children would not be getting into sinful habits. Or, if they lived closer to the church, or away from bad neighbors, or spent more time in family devotions, or any number of ifs, ands, or buts, then life would be better.

Discontentment is not a product of circumstances; it is the state of the soul.

Thankful people have a view of life that begins somewhere deep in their souls, and outside circumstances just can’t mar their joy.

Joy begins with thankfulness.

Quite our attitudes hang in the balance; by making a conscious choice, we can tip our souls into dark moods of complaining, or into thankfulness and praise. It is amazing how much your mouth controls your soul. 

How can you have joy?

Practice makes perfect. Learn to enjoy life. Be thankful. Smile. When you catch yourself becoming irritated or disturbed at circumstances, stop and laugh at the little things that steal your peace. Count your blessings and learn to be appreciative. My daughter once wrote a song around the words, “Thanksgiving is good; thanks-living is better.”

Joy is honestly easy to come by, look around. Yet living a thankful and joy filled life takes practice.

Homework ~

I suggest you begin a list. I recently began a list after reading 1000 Gifts. It’s so easy to find things to find joy in and be thankful for! Open your heart, and watch your soul soar with the joy and thanksgiving God provides for us!

Using the questions I asked at the top, begin practicing finding joy in your everyday life. Even in the difficulties you can find joy!

Write a list ~ when you are discouraged read it! It will bring life again to your soul!

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Previous Posts in this Series

Introduction       Once Upon A Time        Mr. Right?       God Hasn’t Changed His Mind        A Merry Heart        Change Your Game Plan