Choosing to Be Thankful

“Oh no, I dislike following a dump truck.” A truck had pulled in front of me at an intersection.

There wasn’t any place to pass this slow moving truck on the two-lane road.. I hoped none of the gravel that he carried would fall off and hit my car.

While bemoaning the circumstance, I heard within my spirit, “What can you be thankful for about the truck?” Uh oh, God was indicating I needed to change my focus.

Soon I thought of several things to be thankful for involving the truck: I’m thankful I don’t have to drive a big dump truck. I’m thankful the county has the money available to repair the roads. I’m thankful there are trucks to haul the gravel, dirt, and asphalt. I’m thankful the driver has a good job and was driving safely.

I realized my attitude quickly changed from grumpy to thankfulness for what the truck represented. I was then thankful that God had reminded me to change my thinking.

Being thankful is a state of mind I need to constantly work on. Many things come my way to gripe about: our government, higher grocery costs, choices by family members, rain for three days, and a driver who doesn’t signal before turning in front of me. But complaining only makes me unhappy and raises my blood pressure. Instead when I find things to be thankful for in each circumstance I am peaceful, nice to be with, and can think clearly to make Godly decisions.

When I choose to follow God’s directives by being thankful, it benefits me.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Helen L. Hoover