Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude

Today is Thanksgiving - the one day a year we all celebrate being grateful. But the truth is that gratefulness shouldn't be a one-day thing… it should be a lifestyle. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Think about that for a second – Christ's will for us is that we might be characterized by thankfulness in ALL circumstances. Not just on holidays. Not just when you receive something unexpectedly good. But in all circumstances. 

Easier said than done, am I right? 

 It can be hard to be thankful when it seems like there are so many challenging things going on in the world today. Perhaps you were negatively impacted by COVID-19 either in your health or your bank account. Maybe you are missing a loved one this holiday season, or you are frustrated with your family, or simply exhausted by the holiday bustle. The Bible doesn't tell us that we have to be thankful FOR difficult circumstances, just amid them. But how do we do this? 

One way is by changing our attitudes from one of expectation to one of gratitude. Instead of focusing on the difficulties in your life and feeling as if there is nothing to be thankful for this year, pay attention to the little things you take for granted each day. For example: when was the last time you thanked God for your job and a paycheck? Or for your house? Or for that feast of food on your table today? 

 When I'm struggling with loneliness, anxiety, frustration, fear, and disappointment, going through everyday things that I am grateful for helps me reset. Because when I practice giving thanks, true thankfulness seeps in. 

 As you read this blog and contemplate Thanksgiving week, I challenge you to bring an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude to work this week and see what kind of a difference it makes.

 Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!

In EVERYthing Give THANKS

This is a week of BUSY!

Most traveled day of the Year – Thanksgiving Day

Black Friday shopping, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday

Throw in Friendsgiving and it’s crazy how 1 day, set aside to stop and give THANKS has turned into a WEEK of ___________. (what is it for you? You fill in the blank: blessing, milestones, obligations, headaches, chaos, food, spending, football, family and friends…)

What will you focus on this year?

A new recipe to serve

A Pinterest worthy tablescape

The best deal on a new TV

Supporting your local store

Finding online bargains

Counting your blessings

Or generosity?

God is reminding me of Romans 12:2 once again -

“Don’t copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think”

We invite you 1st in this season to PAUSE and PRAY. Be thankful, rejoice, celebrate, confess, interceded for others, and listen to the still small voice of God. Pray for God to guide your thinking, and not the world.

Today is BLACK FRIDAY but TUESDAY’s coming!

If you feel led to join us on #givingTuesday – see our Facebook page or website for details. And remember, in everything give THANKS!

We are THANKful for YOU.

Love, Jim and Martha

Bible, Bacon, Berries in Bridgetown

This past Sunday Morning I found myself reading my Bible, cooking bacon, eating berries and enjoying the beauty of our new neighborhood called Bridgetown!

This is a sneak peek into my life.

My Bible reading time has to come first every day or it just doesn’t happen. Bacon is my favorite food mixed with so many other great things like chocolate. We are so blessed to be able to eat Bacon, and I like berries because they offer the ANTI to my Bacon.

I often get distracted by the everyday and forget to be thankful. I am thankful for the Word of God: 66 books, by 40+ Authors in 3 different countries over a period of 1500 years. It is not one book but a collection of completely unified writings from people in relationship with our Heavenly Father. I am often amazed at the freshness of the scriptures each morning. I have been reading and re-reading 1 Corinthians in the past month. So much to encourage me. I love Paul. He and I have similar personalities, because we both just say it like it is. Truth is truth. Without Truth we are lost. 1 Cor 15:12-20. The Word of God is living and breathing and active. Just pop it open and read - you will find it feeding your soul, like it does mine. So if I start my day with God’s word, it just makes the Bacon and Berries and living in Bridgetown all that much better.

Are you thankful for God’s Word?

Jim

About the Author, Jim Brangenberg

Jim's Mission: We are called to be examples of Christ to those around us. With that in mind, Jim is passionate about helping Christ followers connect their faith to their work!