Several times in the Bible we find the word ‘thanks’ as well as thankfulness, thanksgiving, thanked, and thanking used numerous times. Most of us were trained to say ‘please’ and ‘thank-you’. Is it just a matter of common courtesy, or is gratitude to be a way of life? I remember singing the happy song “Count your blessings!”
1 When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]
4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
So where ever you are, take some time and count your blessing rather than recounting your disappointments. Remember the blessings and not so much the burdens, the grace and not so much the grievances, the mercy of the Lord and not so much the meanness of humans.
Charles Dickens really said it best: “Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every one has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all have some.”
As we move into Advent and the end of the year remember” Focus on your strengths not your weaknesses. Focus on your character, not your reputation, and always focus on your blessings, not your misfortunes and misery.
Happy Thanksgiving may it be an attitude of lives each and every day.
