I’ve just been watching a clip on the BBC News relating to how some families have had to rely on the kindness of individuals/communities/organisations in order to be supplied with basic foodstuffs, toiletries and clothes during this pandemic. All who were interviewed, without exception, expressed their gratitude to all who had helped them during this time; and it’s really encouraging to see how generous people have been in helping others.
I’ve said before that I’ve been humbled to see the weekly contributions from some of the guys in prison to the local Foodbank – and their generosity continues.
When people struggle to put food on the table, provide the basics for their families then anxiety and depression can take a hold.
Anxiety is an epidemic affecting millions of people across the western world today. In England alone, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a mental health problem like anxiety which is now widely considered a common issue.
Symptoms include an increased heartrate or sweating, feeling excessively worried or panicked, you might have difficulty concentrating or putting thoughts that trouble you aside. Anxiety also has a habit of robbing us of one of our most sacred rights… sleep!
The Apostle Paul offers us some good advice:-
Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7 (TPT)
In the battle for your mind, let your faith be your greatest ally.
I read again the account in Luke 17 where Jesus healed 10 lepers. All 10 had responded in faith to the instruction that Jesus gave them to ‘go and show yourselves to the priests’, and as a result all 10 were healed; yet only one returned to say ‘thank you’. It’s possible to receive God’s gifts to us with an ungrateful spirit, just like 9 of the lepers. I sense that there was a tinge of disappointment in the voice of Jesus as only one returned to thank him.
We are blessed beyond measure; God’s love has been lavished upon us; His grace and mercy have been given freely; the Holy Spirit lives within us and is always on hand for us – these are but a few of the benefits that we have ‘in Christ’.
So, ‘Give thanks with a grateful heart’…… and practice having an attitude of gratitude!
Be blessed.