Adopting an Attitude of Gratitude

How do we adopt an attitude of gratitude when it seems life isn't going our way? This has been a very hard lesson for my husband and me the past few weeks. You see, like many Americans these days it seems his job may be in jeopardy. This is such a different story than we were facing only 3 months ago when he was in fact offered a promotion by the regional vice president. You can probably imagine we are a bit dazed and confused for lack of a better phrase. It's a bit unnerving to imagine the possibility of facing another holiday season of uncertainty and change. In this time of economic depression we can't imagine how hard it will be if he once again is faced with finding a new job. So, in times of such uncertainty what are we to do? This week's bible study once again couldn't have had better timing. It reminded me that God wants us to be thankful for everything and always. It's easy to find something to be thankful for when life is floating along nice and easy. It's a bit more difficult when faced with the unknown. Here are a few scripture with God's command of being thankful. Ephesians 5;19-20 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 "I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. The following verse was sent to us just before Bird was to deploy to Iraq. It has been a source of strength for us during some very hard times and is framed on our wall. Once again I find it brings me strength and peace. Isaiah 40:28-31 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. I must also admit I am afraid. Even when I know there is no reason to fear. No matter how hard I try to lay my worries at God's feet I find they are still there, ever present. It is much easier for me to find things to be thankful for. Such as...My favorite season, My health, my family, a home, my faith, my friends and even a working computer/phone and Internet lines. You and I both know my husband, Bird stands at the top of my list of things to be thankful for. I love you Bird! I know things haven't been easy for you and I've told you how hard it is to see you struggle. I am and will always be here beside you. Fighting for what I know is right and believing in you. We'll get through this together. We have so much to be thankful for!