A Grateful and Joyful Life

[geemajudy]

No matter what circumstances you’re currently going through, you can choose to be respond with gratitude and joy.

While your feelings constantly change just as your circumstances do, you can always count on God to give you the gratitude and joy you need to transcend your feelings and manage difficult situations in faithful ways.

Ask God to give you the right perspective on every challenging situation you encounter so you can choose the right attitude about it. Avoid comparing your circumstances with other people’s lives, taking your blessings for granted, and worrying, because those habits will interfere with your ability to experience gratitude and joy.

Refuse to allow any circumstances – no matter how difficult – to rob you of the joy of living or keep you from appreciating the gift of God’s presence with you.

[Raider1]

Comparing myself to others is where I seem to fall the easiest.

I compare my circumstances to others and ask God; "They" don't seem to honor You very much, Lord. Yet, You seem to give them blessing after blessing. Especially the guy that owns the liquor store - he appears to be doing very well.

Then, I remember the "Storms" and remember the song: "Mercy saw me."

(Side note: I just passed 20 years since my heart attack and surgery. I was told that I would probably need a patch job of some sort after 8 years. I am now 12 years past that.)

I recently watched the movie "Defiance" on CD (true story). I have a new "frame of reference" for gratitude.

[geemajudy]

Wow that is wonderful Bob. I think we all do some comparing once in awhile. It's not alway's easy to sit back and seeing others who live life like the devil and they don't seem to have any problems. Of course we know the end of the story. We suffer many times now, to be eternally blessed in the future. Not so with them. That's the way satan likes it. That way he keeps them going and keeping on with their life style, and in the end he bites like a viper.
They remind me of doubting Thomas. Looking at only what they see in this old natural world. God say's blessed are those who believe in the Spiritual without having to see. That be us huh?Congratulatiions on beating the odds. That's the way it is when God be for us.