“Thankfulness is the perfect replacement for complaining.”

A though by James MacDonald (2015-06-18) from his book, Lord, Change My Attitude: Before It's Too Late (p. 54). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

It is so important for us to see what being thankful does to our life's view.

James says, “Only when we recognize God as our gracious provider do we comprehend our need for God and begin to express faith in Him. That is a very significant point. Faith grows in the soil of thankfulness.”

He goes on, “Only when a person outside of Christ is willing to acknowledge—‘Yes, there is a God. I have received much from His hand and probably owe Him something more than passive acknowledgment. Perhaps I should turn and consider whether I ought to be reconciled to this God who made me and gives me life and strength’— only then will he be ready for faith. Faith to believe in God as the One to whom we must all be reconciled sprouts in the soil of gratefulness.”

God is so good to all of us, even if we don’t have a relationship with him. But being thankful can lead us to having a desire for a relationship with him who gives to us even when we don't believe in him. What would happen if we did believe in him? That can be a life changing thought and reality. And maybe it can change some complaining Christ followers too.

So how thankful are you today?

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