I took my grandson’s and granddaughter’s hands as we entered the huge cruise ship. “Look, this ship is so big, we even need an elevator to get to the decks way up high.”
They oohed and aahed. “And did you know there are three swimming pools and even a wall-climbing area?”
A day or so later we docked at an island. We stepped out and noticed a ship docked beside us. The size was double ours and suddenly we looked like a lifeboat in comparison.
Isn’t life like that? We go through life thinking we have a great thing. And suddenly we see someone with more stuff. Some with less pain, with more fun, less bills, more choices, less hassles, with thinner bodies, fatter bank accounts. Before we know it we’re eating discontentment for lunch.
Here are three secrets that guarantee contentment no matter what ship of life we’re in. They are: gratitude, gratitude and gratitude!
1. We’re grateful because God said He will protect us from fear when tough circumstances invade our lives. Contentment is a prelude to joy because it replaces worry. That’s why with confidence, we repeat: “Praise be to the LORD, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” (Psalm 28: 6-7)
2. God begins to do great things when we start our prayer with gratitude. Although we see the circumstance, He sees the solution through His power, His mighty power already at work. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:19)
Giving thanks acknowledges that the God of the universe, bigger than our problem, has all the help we need–in the correct way, the exact proportion and the precise timing. So we say with confidence: “I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
I encourage you to take a deep breath. Can you think of three things for which you’re grateful?
Janet Eckles
If this message resonated with you, please visit Janet’s cyberspace home for more inspiration.