June 10, 2002 - An Attitude of Gratitude

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An Attitude of Gratitude

By Ron Ayers
June 10, 2002

I am disappointed in the lack of contentment in our society. Everywhere we turn, we are told that to be content with what we have or where we are in life means that we are definitely not motivated to advance, and thereby we are deemed a failure.

* Are we not bombarded daily with the message that we should not be satisfied with where we live [no matter how nice it may be]?

* What about the attempt to lure us into trading up to that next level of automobile ecstasy [even though the vehicle we now drive is quite adequate for our needs]?

* It seems that no matter what clothes we wear there is always some other brand name that is better, or if it is perfume, there is another that smells better; and on and on it goes, ad infinitum.

No matter what we obtain, it is never enough, because society keeps telling us that there is still something else that we lack to prove that we are real achievers.

Yet in the midst of this contagion there is the voice of one who seeks to vaccinate us from this lethal poison. It was the Apostle Paul who wrote how he had learned, “... in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11 ). The writer of Hebrews said, “... be content with such things as ye have:” (Hebrews 13:5). While Paul wrote his "son in the gospel" the following: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (I Timothy 6:6-8).

The great Apostle's revelation to us here is that he had discovered, that no matter where he found himself in his experience in life, he was content. It would seem that he had learned how to look, not at the situation, but rather, passed it, as he sought to see the blessing in his dilemma. For it is when men have learned to be content that they can still sing songs of praise and thanks to God, while in a prison cell with backs bleeding and hands and feet chained to the wall, though innocent of wrong.

From time to time we should read Paul's account of his unpleasant experiences in his life which are recorded for us in II Corinthians 11:23-28. While reading of these events, let's remember that Paul wrote the admonition to be content with our lot in life while he was a prisoner in Rome , awaiting his trial and sentencing. That speaks loudly of a man who is practicing what he is preaching. When was the last time that you met a contented person - or should I ask instead if you have ever met a contented person according to Paul's description?

All of this makes me wonder if, during the course of the struggles that we have had in life, maybe we have missed some of the greatest blessings that were ours for the taking. Because, while we were whining and complaining about our unpleasant set of circumstances, the blessings that God had intended for us passed right in front of us unnoticed and unclaimed.

I believe that contentment comes in the revelation of He to whom our lives are - Jesus Christ Himself. His promise that He would never leave us nor forsake us is priceless. He always knows exactly where we are, and He is never taken by surprise at what we may be going through. Somehow we must learn to be content with that understanding because when it happens, it won't be difficult at all to display an attitude of gratitude.

ninetyandnine.com

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Ron Ayers resides in Illinois , north of East St. Louis , south of the Grafton ferry, and west of the northern counties of metropolitan St. Louis . He’s lousy at directions.