We live in a society and culture that delights in complaining, the media seems to concentrate on the negative things that are taking place in our world.

The comedian Jack Dee makes a living out of looking miserable and complaining about everything.

We complain when it’s raining and we complain when it’s hot.

The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Famous Bible commentator Matthew Henry, after being robbed, once wrote this in his diary:

“Let me be thankful……
First, because I was never robbed before.
Second, because although they took my wallet they did not take my life.
Third, because although they took my all, it was not much.
Fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

I believe God wants us to live in “Joyful Gratitude“; and we can only do this when we understand and focus on what Christ has done for us in saving us and giving us the promise of eternal life.

William Law, in his “Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life” writes:

“Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world?  It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice, but it is he who is always thankful to God, who wills everything that God willeth, who received everything as an instance of God’s goodness, and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.”