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The Attitude of Gratitude

Words of Faith Final

The Attitude of Gratitude
Words of Faith 7-2-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Romans 1
    [8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. [9] God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the Gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you [10] in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

      Gratitude is important.
      Attitude is defined as a manner, disposition, or feeling with regard to a person or thing.  We often talk about having a positive or negative attitude.  We can also be tempted to think that "attitude" is just a choice about our day.  
      There is another definition of attitude in the aeronautical world.  For a pilot, "attitude" means the inclination of the aircraft relative to the wind and the ground.  As a pilot approaches a landing or attempts to clear an obstacle, the attitude or inclination of the aircraft is not just a "choice"; it can mean life or death.
     The Apostle Paul seems to have a similar understanding of life and ministry. "First, I thank God..."  Paul began with an attitude of gratitude.  He began with a decided inclination concerning the winds of the day and the spiritual terrain he encountered.  He began with thanksgiving not just as lip service but as a declared position for flight.
     We often raise the importance of thanking people for their efforts and contributions to our lives.  Writing a note or making a call to give thanks is a valuable blessing.  But Paul raises for us a different matter: Giving thanks to God FOR people.
     We often fail to remember that the people God places in our lives are a gift from Him. We need to give thanks for the people who have prayed for us, encouraged us, labored with us, nurtured us, or supported us. That is the attitude of gratitude.
       But also notice that Paul gives thanks for ALL of those who are part of the church at Rome.  Do you suppose that every person Paul encountered there was a blessing?  Not likely.  There are always difficult people.  There are always irritating people.  There are even people so antagonistic that they seem like the enemy when really, they are the target of God's love.
       Paul gave thanks for those who had been a blessing but also for those who had been an irritation.  In giving thanks for "ALL of you", Paul expressed faith in God that He uses even difficult relationships and situations for His will and glory.  
       Have you ever noticed that it is in the more difficult relationships that we learn the most?  Certainly, in the more difficult relationships, the fruit of God's Holy Spirit can be manifest.  We only learn to love when we deal with people who are difficult to love.  We only learn to forgive when we deal with people who wound us in ways that are difficult to forgive.  So, Paul gives thanks for ALL.  And all means all.
         Are you grateful?  Do you have an attitude of gratitude today?  Are you grateful for the people God has placed in your path?  Are you grateful for those who have prayed for you, encouraged you, labored with you, nurtured you, or supported you? Are you grateful for those who have been a struggle-- those who have tried your patience, stretched your capacity to love, or forced you to your knees in prayer?  Tell God and remember these in prayer.

          Lord, give me the attitude of gratitude.  May my inclination be pointed upward. I thank You for the people You have placed in my path, the wonderful people who have been a support and blessing, as well as the difficult people who have caused me to depend upon You and to grow.  Thank You Lord.  Give Your grace and blessing to all these.  In Jesus' name.  
       
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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2021 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.