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Thanksgiving

A little boy was asked to pray at the dinner table and give thanks for the food.

He carefully surveyed some of the bowls of  peas, squash and beans. Then he closed his eyes and prayed,

"Lord, I don't like the looks of it, but I'll thank you for it and I'll eat it anyways."

Unlike this little boy, we often become ungrateful because we don't like the way things look.

We can't palate adversity and forget about the blessings we do have.

A well known Bible character named David found himself in difficult circmunstances. To get himself out of a depressing mindset he made a conscious decision to change his outlook. He realized that ungrateful thinking produced greater lack in his life so he spoke to himself these words: "Praise the LORD, O my soul, and don't forget all God's benefits" (Psalm 103:2).

He began to mentally list the blessings God had heaped upon him like health, love and forgiveness and then he thanked God for them. Interestingly, it did more good for him to praise the LORD like this than he expected. He became so grateful that his present predicament shrunk in his mind so that his hope was reactivated and the depressive cloak of fear and anxiety lifted.

We can learn a lesson from David. Instead of whining and complaining about pressures and problems, it helps to be thankful for the blessings received. Otherwise, we become so consumed with problems that we won't see the forest for the trees.

Consider being thankful for the clothes that fit too snug; it means you have enough to eat.

How about being grrateful for the husband who complains when his dinner is not on time; he's home with you.

Or for the teenager who is complaining about doing the dishes; it means she's at home and not on the streets.

Are you thankful for taxes you pay because it means you are employed.

Or the huge heating bill you receive because it means you are warm.

It is possible to experience daily, healthy attitudes and peace of mind by simply reflecting and taking mental inventory of the blessings and benefits we possess.