Ungrateful Attitude Or Grateful Aptitude

Ungrateful Attitude or Grateful Aptitude

1 Thes. 5:12-17

12 My friends, we ask you to be thoughtful of your leaders who work hard and tell you how to live for the Lord. 13 Show them great respect and love because of their work. Try to get along with each other. 14 My friends, we beg you to warn anyone who isn’t living right. Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Don’t be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else. 16 Always be joyful 17 and never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.

Psalm 46

1God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2And so, we won’t be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea. 3Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains. 4A river and its streams bring joy to the city, which is the sacred home of God Most High. 5God is in that city, and it won’t be shaken. He will help it at dawn. 6Nations rage! Kingdoms fall! But at the voice of God the earth itself melts. 7The LORD All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. 8Come! See the fearsome things the LORD has done on earth. 9God brings wars to an end all over the world. He breaks the arrows, shatters the spears, and burns the shields. [a] 10Our God says, "Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me." 11The LORD All-Powerful is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress.

Back in the days before automobiles, there was a traveling salesman who acquired a mule for use in his business. He was so appreciative that he would begin each trip by thanking God for providing the mule. Eventually the animal learned that "Thank God" meant to go. When they reached their destination, the salesman would again give a prayer of thanks, concluding with "Amen." And so the mule learned that "Amen" meant to stop. Before long, the business prospered and the salesman was able to upgrade to a horse. Having no need of the mule, the salesman sold him to another businessman in town. He explained the necessary commands and with a "Thank God", the mule and it’s new owner were off. Well, it was such a nice day and the ride so enjoyable, that before long the businessman forgot everything else, until he suddenly realized that he was heading for the edge of a high cliff. "Whoa!" he said to the mule, but the mule did not whoa. "Stop!" he commanded, but the mile did not stop. Frantically pulling on the reigns, the man yelled out a desperate prayer: "O God, please save me!--Amen." With that the mule came to an abrupt stop, just in the nick of time, at the edge of the cliff. Breathing a sigh of relief, the man said, "Thank God I guess the moral of the story is that while it’s good to express your thankfulness, sometimes it’s best to just keep your mouth shut - or something like that!

First of all let’s get this straight we are talking about the necessity of being thankful – not just because of but in spite of. Ungrateful Attitudes or Grateful Aptitude. What do you mean preacher??? Well bear with me and we will find out which side of the spectrum each of us fall on. Ungrateful – unsatisfied –displeased –discontented – unhappy – ill at ease - no peace….Ungrateful attitude causes depression, grief, stress, disorientation, disillusion, desperation, dissatisfaction. But a Grateful Aptitude – is simply a mindset of appreciation for the gift of life. This type thinking will allow a person to rise even when others think that they are standing on quicksand. Gratefulness is a mindset. You are thankful for everything. Appreciate anything – find good in each situation – and rejoice through every circumstance. This allows you to have peace in the midst of your mess because you are thanking God for never losing a battle yet!

An Ungrateful Attitude will give you:

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1. First of all, unappreciative people - people who do not have an attitude of gratitude - are never satisfied.

People who live without an ungrateful attitude are always waiting for something bigger and better before they’ll be thankful. Or so they say. But a grateful aptitude lets you rise because you are thankful for the little miracles of life that come along today. If we are not grateful for the little things today – you can bet – God won’t allow you to see the big ones of tomorrow. That’s why an ungrateful attitude can only lead to a lower level where as a grateful aptitude will allow you to cling to the cross – view your crown – and leap over your circumstance.