Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and His Truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:5
Straighten up your attitude, right now.
You need to be thankful for what you have.
Please, have a thankful heart.
Do these statements ring a bell? Do you recall these words flowing from your mother's mouth? I smile just thinking about my mom's wisdom. As a child, when I displayed an ungrateful attitude she had the ability to speak through her eyes. You know what I mean? My sisters and I called it, "The Look!" We knew it was in our best interest to immediately straighten up. It's amazing how "The Look" passed from our mom to her daughters. Now as a mom, I find myself using these same facial expressions with my children. And... it works!
_____________________________________________
An ungrateful attitude affects not only the person but others. What does it mean to have a A Thankful Heart. Why not a Thankful Mouth? Or a Thankful Face?
Think about it... when someone is appreciative her words uplift, encourage and inspire others. They are evidence of a selfless and humble life. "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness - James 3:9,10. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing." In other words, in the same breath we can be driving along singing praise songs to God and then scream at a driver in front of us. I have experienced this more than once! My children can testify.
What sets our mouth into motion?
neath was a women in the darkness of life. Oh, I was a Christian who fell into thinking Believers couldn't be depressed and must exhibit joy at all times. Little did I know my daily mask was slowly cracking into pieces. It worked well for a few years, but as time passed the realness surfaced. Why does a mask only work for a little while?
What sets our face into motion?
As in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man. Proverbs 27:19 (NKJV)
The Lord doesn't look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Oh my, this is the answer! We are looking on the outside while God is focused on the inside. Our character is created within the heart of man. The more we love Jesus, the more we reflect Him in our conversations and our actions. As we seek His face, we become His reflection! It all begins in the heart... A Thankful Attitude reflects a Thankful Heart which affects a the face and the mouth!
Why don't we focus on a Thankful Face? I have to say I used to be one who lived behind a mask. Every morning I painted on a smile. But, under
A Thankful Heart produces...
A Thankful Attitude which creates...
Thankful Expressions and Pleasant Words!
Challenge for the Week... This Thanksgiving as you sit at the table don't focus on the delicious food, but on the love poured into preparing the feast. Appreciate those who spent hours shopping and creating the family meal. A Thankful Attitude... loves, serves, encourages, lends a hand (at the cleanup-hint, hint), and is grateful in all circumstances. In fact, write out Psalm 100:5 and use this for your Thanksgiving verse. This is a great focus verse for the Thanksgiving season! Live a life sold out to Jesus with a Thankful Attitude that says... Life is not about me, but all about Him.
From My Heart to Yours,
Carla McDougal