Devotions with Holly Woodbridge

Complaint or Gratitude: A Pondering by Holly Woodbridge

Philippians 2:14-16—Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

The following quote popped up on Instagram this week. It kinda bopped me on the head! “Complaining is natural. It is easy. Takes no forethought. Gratitude is the opposite. It is rarely natural because it means thinking of another person above self. Which is why gratitude must be learned.” – Barbara Rainey

I want to learn invasive gratitude. The kind that infiltrates my thoughts and attitudes. I want to live gratitude ON PURPOSE. Sign me up for Gratitude 101. The language of complaint seeps in too easily and I know that it does not please God.

Is God really offended by an ungrateful spirit? I have thought about this, and it seems to me that when we are ungrateful, when we are complaining, we are saying God’s gifts are not enough, and really that HE is not enough

Charles Spurgeon said, “Let us daily praise God for common mercies.”
Yes! Let us praise Him for what is common and for what is uncommon and miraculous. Praise Him for what is seen and for what is unseen. Praise Him for provision and even for need which drives us into His arms.

A Christian once asked: “If tomorrow’s supply depended on today’s thanksgiving, how much would I have tomorrow?”

As we move toward Thanksgiving, it is a great time to begin living a life of gratitude. Want to join me?