In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on what is called the “work-life balance.” Companies are trying to improve the working conditions of their employees so that they feel comfortable and more content. The number of people traveling abroad and the length of vacations away from home has increased significantly. People seek fulfillment and happiness in careers, money, and possessions. Despite this, many recognize with frustration that all these worldly things do not bring lasting fulfillment and joy. As Christians, we know that what they seek lies solely in Jesus Christ and in knowing Him as their personal Savior. In some developed countries, for example Germany, there is also another problem. It has been said that Germans can never be satisfied. The advantage is that Germany has been innovative, not resting on its laurels. The Germans always tried to optimize and improve things. What was good was never good enough! But there are two sides to every coin. Improving things is advantageous, but being discontented by nature means we always find a reason to be dissatisfied, be it the weather, politics, a superior at work, an employer, or something else.
God has given all people a common psychological basis. We all have different character traits and behaviors. But we all have similar basic needs. The need for companionship is one. This is becoming more problematic in our society. More and more people are living alone, some rarely if ever have visitors, and others feel isolated. The consequences are alarming and mean that illnesses, both physical and psychological, are on the increase. Humans were not created to be alone. We read in the first chapters of the Bible already that community is a principle established by God on which His blessing rests.
There are also other similar important principles.One of these is gratitude. God is pleased with gratitude. The blessing of gratitude is apparent in both believers and unbelievers. This was confirmed by a study done back in 2003. In the study, people were divided into three groups. The first group was asked to keep a diary in which they wrote down the things they were grateful for. The second group was asked to list neutral experiences in the diary, and the third group was asked to enter their negative experiences. After ten weeks, there was a huge difference between the first and the other two groups. Group one was more optimistic about the future, had fewer illnesses, had better sleep patterns, and had a much greater zest for life. There are a number of other studies that also show the huge benefits that gratitude brings. As Christians, gratitude should come naturally for us. We should be able to get up every morning and shout for joy, because through the blood of Jesus we are delivered and saved from eternal damnation, judgment, and hell. Unfortunately, we so easily allow ourselves to be negatively influenced by the things of this world. It is not without reason that the Bible admonishes us to be thankful. Paul repeatedly urges his readers to be thankful (Colossians 2:7 and Colossians 3:15). He also points out that in the last times, ingratitude is a trait of those who do not have Jesus in their hearts. Paul never tires of giving thanks to God in his letters. He gives thanks for salvation, for his fellow believers, for his helpers, for God’s help in their lives, for preservation, and much more. There is one scripture that I find particularly meaningful, for it describes the heart condition that we as Christians should have. We often think that thanksgiving is dependent on external circumstances, but Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:20 that we should be thankful to God at all times, regardless of our outward circumstances.
“Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
A brother in the congregation I attend often said this: Thankfulness keeps from wavering; praise pulls you up. I experienced this myself. Once, when I was not feeling well, I knelt down and began to give thanks in prayer. I focused on the repeated blessings that I had received, both physical and spiritual. Within five minutes, my state of mind had changed. Again and again, we can see that gratitude enriches and changes our lives.
Many centuries ago, the man of God, Asaph, was able to discern which offerings please God. In Psalm 50:23, we read:
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”
Gratitude is a key to the knowledge of God. This attitude of heart is pleasing to God, and His blessing rests upon it. Let us be encouraged anew by His Word, and make sure that ingratitude and dissatisfaction find no place in our hearts. Though common in the world, let this never be our attitude or determine how we live. May God bless you and give you a heart filled with gratitude!
Eugen Igel
Kirchberg, Germany
Be the first to comment