Reading 46

Reading 46

Colossians 3-1 Thessalonians 2

As I read the selection one thing stood out to me, thankfulness. In Colossians 3:15-17 Paul mentions it three times. In verse 15 he says “be thankful”. In verse 16 he says to “sing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” And then in verse 17 he speaks of “giving thanks to God the Father.”

On one hand it seems a little funny that Paul would need to encourage the Colossians to be thankful to God, considering all that he has done for them. Yet, when I look at my own life, I realize why Paul needed to say this. It can be really easy to let the molehills of life pile up into the mountains of despair. It seems that wherever one looks there are reasons for stress. Whether it’s bills that need to be paid, a conflict with a friend, or that your favorite show has been canceled, there are numerous things that can weigh a person down.

That’s why we need to be reminded to be thankful. Just as we often look for things that cause stress, we can also learn to look for things to be thankful for. For example, as I am a caregiver for an aging parent I have struggled with things that are stressful. Yet I can be thankful that my mother is usually in a pleasant mood, especially when I hear how dementia can affect someone’s temperament.

For me the choice becomes one of choosing to look for what I can give thanks for. It doesn’t mean that I deny the hard things in life but that I make it a point to give thanks when and where I can. After all, “attitude” makes up 90% of “gratitude.”

--Nils

Reading 46 Audio