Attitude of Gratitude

Even though the actual 'day' we call Thanksgiving is officially past for this year it does not prevent us from continuing the attitude of gratitude which that day was meant to represent.

My sister sent me a link to a site where I read a very interesting article. Some of you may already be aware of some of this information but I found some new information that is still bouncing around in my mind in relation to the concept of an 'attitude of gratitude'. Let me share some of what I am learning.

To begin with, according to this article, every cell emits 'light'. Every cell also has an 'electrical' atmosphere with which it surrounds itself. Along with an atmosphere of 'light' and an 'energy field', the cell also is seriously affected by what I perceived as 'attitude'. Gratitude is an attitude. When I give thanks, when I rejoice, when I choose to accept the peace God always offers me, every cell in my body is positively, directly affected. Correct, positive attitudes healthfully affect hormones (one of the body's communication systems), enzyme activity (aiding nutritional movement into cells as needed) as well as overall proper use of energy.

The brain is also constantly emitting signals which other minds 'pick up' even though we may not be communicating verbally or visibly with each other. One of those 'signals' is what I call 'attitude'. When a person chooses to be grateful, joyful, peaceful - and the effect of such an attitude becomes even more powerful and intense when that mind has chosen to connect to the Creator God of the Universe - that attitude positively affects every mind with which it comes in contact.

I believe that 'attitude' not only functions when there is a 'close' physical proximity, but it also can be 'carried' by 'blogs', books, movies, TV and more. We are affected by that which we choose to come in contact with whether 'live' or through other modalities as just mentioned.

Perhaps over a week ago I took some problems to my wonderful Lord. In actions we took in what we had thought was helping others we have gotten into some financially tight places ourselves. I had been asking the Lord for His divine intervention concerning these matters.

About that time my brother shared with us a story about a 'world' missionary. God had led him to do some mighty things for our Lord. In process of time he had committed to a project that needed $1,500,000. Another 'project' he believed the Lord had led him to work with needed $100,000. He was claiming that the Lord would supply all these needs through the awesome power that only the Creator God has. He had also been sharing with others the needs for funds to continue the above mission projects. But the last day came and still no 'money'. Some folks had even 'suggested' that there was going to be a 'celebration' (of sorts) when the missionary 'failed'.

As the beginning of the due day for the million and a half dollars dawned, the missionary pleaded with God to reveal Himself in a mighty way. As he was praying the Lord asked what he needed. The man restated the $1.5m and $1,000,000. The Lord reminded him that He already knew what was needed. God then told him it was time to start thanking the Lord and praising Him for the answers.

The man immediately stopped asking God and started praising Him and thanking Him for answering prayer. From what I understood in the story, everyone there joined in the praise and thanksgiving service. About 10 a.m. a call came which took care of the $1.5m need. After that a couple (or family) came in and began to join in the praise and thanksgiving. The man who had just come in asked the missionary if there was any other 'needs', and the missionary mentioned the $100,000 for another project. The man took 3 envelopes out of his pocket and donated them to the missionary. When the total was counted up it came to the exact amount needed - $100,000.

I share that experience with you because it impressed me so much. We also have financial needs and the Lord impressed me to begin praising Him and thanking Him for His answers. At present the needs God has put on our hearts to pray for come to about $1,250,000. God's word does not return unto Him empty. He supplies our needs according to HIS RICHES in GLORY through Christ Jesus. AMEN! Wonderful, Awesome, Tremendous!!!

I am getting more and more excited in anticipation of God's answers this week. Property Taxes are due Friday ($3,017.00) as well as personal taxes (approx. $300). Our Mighty God already has arrangements. Sad to say there have been strong hints of a 'celebration' (of sorts) when God doesn't 'come through'. I am only saying that because I am in the mode of celebrating already with an attitude of gratitude to our wonderful Heavenly Father' s answer - and as usual His answers are above, over and beyond all we can ask or think.

A friend of mine has been through some pretty tough times over the past year or so. One challenge was that she had to move two times - which we were able to help her do. Needless to say that involved a certain amount of 'house hunting'. When a house would not become available I often said "Praise the Lord". Why? One reason I often gave was that if God didn't want that house we wouldn't want it either. Another thought I often shared with her was that "God is never late, seldom early and always on time".

Now I am choosing to believe the same concepts in our situation. I praise the Lord and am so thankful that He is not only 'able' but He already has the situation 'under control'. (By the way, not only did the Lord provide a house for my friend, but He is providing funds for the purchase of that place as well as another 'farm'. Praise the Lord!)

The information about the effects of 'gratitude' on the very 'cell' level is giving me a big opportunity to 'practice' what I am learning. Today I choose to praise the Lord for providing our needs through His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. And very soon I plan to fill you in on more details.

This very morning during our worship time in praise to the Lord this message was added for our encouragement. "In our work we meet with many discouragements. But we shall not gain a particle of strength by dwelling on the discouragements. By beholding we become changed. As we look in faith to Jesus, His image is engraven on the heart. We are transformed in character."
"As we discern the perfection of our Saviour's character, we shall desire to become wholly transformed, and renewed in the image of His purity. "
"By having a knowledge of Christ, -- His words, His habits, and His lessons of instructions, -- we borrow the virtues of the character we have so closely studied, and become inbued with the spirit we have so much admired. Jesus becomes to us "the chiefest among ten thousand." the One "altogether lovely".

Jesus kept the JOY of seeing us eternally saved ever before Him while He was a human being here on earth. And since the JOY of the Lord is our strength, we too can imbibe of that same attitude to enable us to 'copy' His pattern.

God is in the business of restoration. He has promised to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. We have been told to 'Ask', 'seek' and 'knock'. We are told to 'cast' all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. I praise the Lord just now for His wonderful works to us, His 'children'. We have asked, and God is giving. We have been seeking and are finding God's promises true and faithful and He will 'do it' - yes, He is doing it and has done it.
We have petitioned God to supply our needs and He has already begun to open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing so big we don't have enough room to receive it all. Yippee! Why? That means we have more than enough so we can continue to share with others.

Thinking of having 'enough' to share with others more needy than ourselves may be why I was challenged last evening. Earlier this year we had shared financially to try to help another person in dire need. Last evening I overheard someone (who is here on the farm because they 'needed' help and we chose to let them stay here because they, at the time, seemingly had nowhere else to go) refer to that 'incident', almost in a derisive tone, with a comment that that money would have taken care of the 'taxes' if we hadn't of helped that person.

There may be a kernel of truth in what was said. On the other hand, the person who was speaking has also been helped financially numerous times by us in the past. Maybe that is why they made remarks about us helping someone else, (but not as much as we have tried to help them,) because they still feel guilty. Do they feel guilty for not 'returning' to us what was 'loaned' to them? I wonder. That person was speaking to someone else who was also helped financially by us, and who basically also 'owes' us some of what had been 'loaned' to them by us. (My thoughts were having trouble staying grateful, I must admit, about that time.) Both of the ones talking, though, seemed almost 'eager' to hear of 'failure' here on the farm financially.

Yes, I was challenged, to say the least, as I listened for a few minutes to the ongoing conversation between the two parties. And yes, I guess I was 'evesdropping' to the speakerphone conversation. Then, I realized that not only were there numerous inconsistencies and out and out inaccuracies in the conversation but my attitude was being VERY negatively affected and I recognized that I needed to LEAVE - run away quick.

I came back to our little house and realized that I must refocus. I stopped looking on perceived faults and failings of others and returned to "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith". Jesus focused on the JOY before Him and I chose to turn my mind eyes to gratitude and joy as well - especially to what He is doing in our lives right now.

My hubby and I chose to again praise the Lord for His goodness to us. We thanked Him for enabling us to continue to help others whether or not they are grateful. We are thankful God has already supplied our needs - so many in the past - and is continuing to do so even now. As we looked back over the past couple of years we were reminded that God has been the One who has supplied the funds for the taxes then. We were reminded that last year we didn't have enough money either, but God came through. The taxes are even higher this year - Praise the Lord - which means God's answers will be even 'bigger'. That also means we have even more reason for an attitude of gratitude. And from what I have just learned that attitude of gratitude is giving me another reason to experience better 'body health' as well as spiritual health. I Praise the Lord and choose to continue to thank Him for His wonderful love to us.

I must go for now, but until we meet again, may the God of hope fill you with all JOY and PEACE in believing, that You may abound hope through the Power of the Holy Ghost. And remember, an attitude of gratitude gives health to every cell in your body.

Bringer of Peace