how funny would things in our society look like, if everywhere people argued, they just gave thanks for the positives in the situation? really just let your mind go there. in a courtroom, in stead of the case being decided by the disproving of the opposing argument, it was won by who could affirm their own points more?
or what about in politics. in the 2012 election, obama and rick perry/cain for 2 hours strictly lauded their own fortunes and what they've been grateful to be taught along the way by others? just 2 hours of why they feel they're the most qualified candidate based off of the incredible blessings they've been provided with?
what about sports? if announcers in the booth and on tv shows spent time just championing each others ideas.
as a young man, i find it incredibly easy to drift towards being a critical spectator rather than to be a responsibility assuming leader that believes what's best of those in charge. (even with great friends like these guys) as a football fan, it seems so much easier to be the heckler throwing peanuts at the referee rather than putting on the striped shirt and making the calls myself. i don't envy the guy having to make the hard decisions regardless of how much he's getting paid.
so how does thankfulness play into this mess? i'm finding that if i'm too busy being thankful for what i have and for the good in the situation, it's awful hard to get stuck on what i don't agree with. am i saying be negligent and allow harmful things to happen? absolutely not. but be ok with getting pickles that you didn't want on your burger. somewhere, somebody's not eating. get over that your football teams losing, football records are the least of some people's worries. enjoy your older car, most people don't have one. NOTE: please don't feel like you're in trouble, this is mostly for the benefit of my cynical heart.
colossians 4:2 devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
this gets even better. not only do we get to be thankful, we get to be watchful and thankful. so all that time and effort we can spend sometimes looking for what's wrong, that can be spent finding what's good and beneficial. i can't imagine how different my life would look if i were better at this.
in closing, this month i want to spend time being thankful for all the good things that i've been given and for Him who gives them. including the great friends that i've shown in this post!
james 1:17 every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.
happy november friends!
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