When Your Attitude Lacks Gratitude
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 [NIV]
Is the condition of your heart hindering you from being thankful? Is it preventing you from experiencing joy?
Not too long ago I was gathering my husband’s socks off of the bathroom floor and I couldn’t help but wonder, why he refused to put them in the basket. Was it really that hard to put them in there? It wasn’t as if I had hidden the laundry basket from him. Doesn’t he know I have other things to do? Maybe he enjoyed having me pick them up…
On and on my thoughts went. By the time I was done gathering and sorting through all of his socks I had talked myself into a dreadful mood. I was miserable and I did not feel like being thankful in all circumstances.
“Create a clean heart in me Lord…” Psalm 51:10
What was wrong with me? It was only socks!
My crummy way of thinking was altering my outlook on things and stealing my joy. Instead of being grateful for all of the good things my husband does, I was letting a tiny inconvenience overshadow my blessings. As I put the socks in the washer I realized my heart was in need of a good cleaning—the kind that only our Heavenly Father can provide.
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Psalm 86:5 [NIV]
So, I gathered my thoughts—and my ungrateful heart—and brought them to the Lord. One by one I sorted through them, asking God to create a clean heart in me and forgive me for my attitude towards my husband. And because God is good to forgive, He poured out His cleansing grace and forgiveness over me, ridding my heart of its ungrateful attitude. With my heart made new, I was able to clearly see—and be thankful for—the many ways God has blessed our family through my husband.
Don’t let a tiny inconvenience overshadow your blessings. Tweet this!
When our hearts are preventing us from being thankful in our circumstances, let’s remember to seek our Heavenly Father, who is good to forgive, and ask Him to make our hearts clean.
Lord are good and merciful. Your word tells me you forgive those who call upon you. Please forgive me when my heart is lacking in gratitude. Create a clean heart in me Lord and help me to be thankful in all circumstances. Thank you for the many blessings you have given me. May I always find my joy in you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Happy Thanksgiving and thank you joining me today! You have just read this week’s Petals Of Wisdom Devotion. Is this your first time here? To subscribe to my newsletter and follow along with this series Click Here. Everyone who subscribes will receive a downloadable copy of my Coloring Journal.
I would love to hear from you. What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving? ~Kelly
Are you interested in writing a devotion for this series?
Please visit the Guest Post Guidelines page for instructions on submitting your piece. I would love to have you share what God has put on your heart.
Weekly Linkups
Be sure to stop by these awesome blogs I am linking up with this week for more encouragement: Click here. I’m also linking up with #FridayFive today and #LiveFreeThursday.
Happy Thanksgiving! I would love to hear from you. What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?
I am so thankful that God is gentle in convicting and correcting us! There will always be little annoyances in marriage and they will grow into huge rifts if we do not keep our hearts and spirits soft towards God…and our hubbies! Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth.
You are welcome!
Thank you for sharing inspiring thoughts on gratitude. I do tend to focus on the negative. But I won’t let that overshadow the blessings. Thanks for linking up with #FridayFive!
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
So many good things here that I needed to hear today. Time to do things differently and stop grieving the heart of God with my lack of gratitude.
Thank you for sharing this today!
You are so welcome!
Great post, Kelly! We always have God’s love to be grateful for, so that is where we can start, even when we don’t feel like it! But gratitude can change our sour attitudes! Blessings!
Thank you Liz!