A truth few realize is that your attitude determines your quality of life. Did you know that you can be experiencing the worst of circumstances but still maintain a positive, faith-filled attitude? We have so much to be thankful for and should be expressing our gratitude to God every opportunity we get — in the good times and the bad. And the truth is that an attitude of thanksgiving and gratitude is the way out of any terrible situation or trial. Recorded throughout the book of Psalms, David continually demonstrated the power of a heart full of thanksgiving. He decided to praise God even when it seemed as if the world around him was falling apart and his life was over. Even when surrounded by his enemies and overwhelmed with grief and distress, He was thankful to God. He knew that his problems were not greater than his God, and time and again, David received the intervention of God on his behalf! So, when the trials of life confront you, instead of focusing on what is negative, put your trust in the Lord and remember His faithfulness. Like David, make a choice from this day forward to adopt an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude. Meditate on the following verses and let thanksgiving, praise and rejoicing flow from your heart and out of your mouth. Then, expect to see God’s goodness show up in your life!
• Psalm 9: 1,2: I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High.
• Psalm 95: 1-3: O come, let us sing unto the Lord: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
• Psalm 106:1: Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
• Colossians 2: 6,7: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
• Colossians 3:17: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
• Philippians 4:6,7: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
• Hebrews 12:28,29: Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for God is a consuming fire.