24 Jan Be Grateful- Noelle Bonnette

Be grateful…

The Word confirms there is nothing we lack (Det. 2:7, Ps. 34:9). Yet, how often does our grumbling speaks otherwise? How often do we sound similar to the Israelites as they trekked through the wilderness?  We, like the Israelites, are clothed, fed, and led by God – and still our grumbling can be heard? What is worse, we read the consequences of the Israelites grumbling in Deuteronomy one and two, and even after reading these chapters we neglect to obey what is written in Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,  that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

We are to do all things without grumbling or disputing, that we may be blameless. Sadly, I can’t say I have been blameless, in fact I have been guilty of giving the devil a foothold. How easy it is to neglect all things when working, driving through traffic, shopping for groceries, cleaning the house, or caring for others.

We grumble as though God is unaware and absent, but Jesus forewarned us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Take heart! We take heart knowing Jesus has overcome. Knowledge which presents us with a choice; be overcomers with Christ or be overcome in grumblings. We take heart with faith and trust. “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). The Israelites could only see what was before them and failed to trust God for the promises awaiting them.

How about you? Are you neglecting to trust God in all things? Is it time to redirect your focus to gratitude? Is it time to be grateful for our jobs, transportation, food, homes, families, friends, and everything else we have been given? It is hard to grumble when we are grateful!

Author: Noelle Bonnette