Lead with Gratitude

Friday, November 25, 2022

Lead With Gratitude
By: Pastor Todd Crofford

Have you ever noticed we only tend to question God’s existence and love when things go wrong?

I mean, when was the last time you said, “God why did you let my parents have such a good marriage and have me be raised in a healthy home?”  “Why did you bless me with getting the promotion and raise?” “Why am I cancer free and healthy right now?”

We don’t usually talk that way, do we?  I think there are a couple reasons our thoughts don’t go that direction.  

First, somehow deep inside of us we think we deserve a good life.  We think if God is truly good then all that happens in our life should be good. 

Well, that is bad theology, but we will tackle that deep mystery some other day.

I think the second reason we forget to recognize God and thank Him is we just get complacent. A normal day is just so- well- normal. So, we forget to say thanks.  

But we shouldn’t. 
Paul told us how to live:

“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
-Colossians 2:6-7 NIV

The expression “live in Him” is a reference to a daily lifestyle- one that should include overflowing with thankfulness. Try a few of these on for size

Thank you, Lord, that I had the strength to rise from bed today – some are bedridden.
Thank you, Lord, for my safe ride home from work - some were in terrible accidents today.
Thank you, Lord, for this simple bowl of soup, or this sandwich - many have nothing to eat tonight.
Thank you, Lord, for that exhausting bedtime routine with my child tonight - countless people want children but are never able to have them.
Ok, you try a few. 

Let’s get in the habit of overflowing with thankfulness, not just one Thursday a year, but as a lifestyle.