Take heart, my friends. These are tough times but we still have many blessings to count, many things to be thankful for. Furthermore, a grateful attitude is something we are commanded to have. Verses calling us to be grateful are numerous, and I would think all Christians are familiar with several.
What does it mean to be grateful? The first thing I see is a separation of attitude and circumstance. This is an active choice each person must make. At times, choosing a spirit of thanksgiving is surely easier than others, but let us recognize the human ability to complain in times of plenty and rejoice in times of meagerness – and vice versa. In the last chapter of Habakkuk, the author shares this experience:
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no fruit, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls – Yet, I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!“
Modern translation: My 401k is half of what is used to be, stocks are down, we had to sell one of the cars and put off remodeling the kitchen. I got laid off and took a job getting paid far less than I used to – my career is off track. We had to eat up most of our savings during the last few months, and haven’t gone out to eat in forever. It looks like the recession won’t be over for a long time, and inflation looms ahead.
Those verses paint a picture of total economic destruction. Yet Habakkuk proclaims his choice. This is the first step in gratitude: making a decision to lay hold of something far greater than our surroundings. From there, I believe our heart will follow our mind.
Why is gratitude so important? That is a huge question, one that deserves a multi-faceted answer. But for this discussion, this is my answer: what other course is there? Learning to abide in this place of joy and thankfulness is the only productive alternative to despair. You may think I’ve oversimplifying the case, but we all are painfully aware of the dark world in which we live. Either we learn to choose this path or the Enemy’s schemes threaten to overtake us. The stakes are that high.
Here’s another thought – how about your day to day life? Modern medicine confirms that gratitude is the healthiest emotion. We are physical, mental, and spiritual beings. Refusing to let circumstance, even a severe economic recession, control your outlook will prove beneficial in all three categories. Not that immediate kickbacks are the main point, but it’s an added bonus.
The reason for choosing to be joyful is because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I think so many people in this world are wary of Christianity because they see brothers and sisters placing their treasure on earth, wrapping their lives around the things of this world, and consequently giving in to despair when current events threaten those possessions. What kind of testimony is that? Wouldn’t you seriously question the validity of someone’s religion when they claim to have a personal relationship with the Almighty, and yet appear shaken to the core over their falling stock portfolio?
Some might say, “Wait, though. Didn’t Jesus preach several sermons on financial wisdom?” Yes, He did. And they were fantastic. But responsibility for good stewardship does not translate into a reorientation of priorities to the degree that the waves of this world steal our sense of joy, gratitude, and true contentment. God may choose to bless some of His children with wealth, like Job. He may not. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Basing contentment on the measure of material wealth or present circumstance is precisely what Satan tempts us to do, because chasing that horizon will leave us empty and perpetually dissatisfied.
Grab hold of the only source of true joy and gratitude – A Savior who longs for you to know Him and join his team. That journey, and the riches that come with it, far surpass anything that can be produced my man.
