Possessing an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude is something that needs to be developed. I believe we would be much happier and more fulfilled as people if we would learn to be thankful.

Some people are only thankful and grateful to the Lord when things are going well. But when things go badly, then we begin to blame Him — we even begin to accuse Him of not caring about or loving us. How sad. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 28:47-48, Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you], therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord shall send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and in want of all things; and He will put a yoke of iron upon your neck until He has destroyed you.

Because people did not serve the Lord with joy and gratitude (one translation says, with enthusiasm — that means a spontaneous reaction), then we would live in want. We are to serve Him with joy and gratitude when things are going well and when things are not.

God has given us so much. He has given us life, air to breathe, food to eat, clothing to keep us warm. He has given us eternal life if we choose His way — receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

We have much to be thankful for, so let’s develop an attitude of gratefulness and serve Him with joy.

Just a thought,

PSS

The concept of grief is often described through various stages, providing a framework for understanding the complex emotions and reactions that follow loss. While the stages are not linear and may vary from person to person, they offer a valuable perspective.

Denial: This initial stage serves as a defense mechanism, often buffering the immediate shock of the loss. In denial, individuals may find it hard to believe the loss has occurred, leading to a sense of numbness or disbelief. It's a temporary response that carries one through the first wave of pain.

Anger: As the masking effects of denial begin to wear off, the pain re-emerges. Here, the intense emotion is not always logical or reasonable, and it may be directed at inanimate objects, complete strangers, friends, family, or even the deceased. The anger may stem from feelings of abandonment, helplessness, or injustice associated with the loss.

Bargaining: In this stage, one may dwell on what could have been done to prevent the loss. Common thoughts might include "If only..." or "What if..." scenarios. This stage often involves a desperate attempt to regain control through a series of negotiations with a higher power in exchange for a reversion or mitigation of the loss.

Depression: As the reality of the loss fully sets in, individuals may retreat, isolate, and focus on the practical implications of the loss. Sadness and regret predominate this stage. It's a period of reflection where the true magnitude of the loss is recognized, often leading to feelings of loneliness and despair.

Acceptance: This stage is marked by coming to terms with the reality of the loss. Acceptance does not mean being okay with what happened, but rather acknowledging the reality and recognizing that life has to be restructured. In this stage, individuals begin adapting to life without the lost entity and start planning for a future as it now stands.

To navigate through these stages, it is important to recognize that grief is a deeply personal and unique experience. There's no right or wrong way to grieve. Accepting your feelings, seeking support from loved ones, and allowing yourself time to heal are crucial. Professional help, like therapy, can also provide guidance and coping strategies. Remember, moving through these stages is not a journey to be rushed —it's about finding a way to live with the changes brought about by loss, at your own pace.

Just a thought,

PSS

The Bible addresses grief in various ways, offering comfort, perspective, and hope to those who are mourning:

1. Comfort and Compassion: The Bible often speaks of God's comfort and nearness to the brokenhearted. For instance, Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
2. Mourning and Lamentation: Expressions of grief and lamentation are seen as natural and important. The Book of Psalms is full of cries of anguish, such as Psalm 22:1, where David says, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
3. Hope Beyond Grief: The Bible also speaks of hope beyond the immediate pain of loss. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, Paul writes, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him."
4. Resurrection and Eternal Life: Central to Christian belief is the hope of resurrection and eternal life, which offers a profound perspective on grief. In John 11:25-26, Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die."
5. Support and Community: The Bible encourages believers to support one another in times of sorrow. Romans 12:15 instructs, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
6. Understanding and Embracing Human Emotions: The Bible doesn’t shy away from the reality of human emotions, including grief. Ecclesiastes 3:4 acknowledges that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

These passages reflect a broad and compassionate approach to grief, recognizing it as a natural part of the human experience, while also offering hope and comfort through faith.

Just a thought,

PSS

It’s not enough to say, “I’ve heard the Bible taught,” or, “I know what it says.” The question is: Do you understand it? Do you understand it enough to do it — to apply it to your life?

So many say, “I know God!” Really? What they are really saying is, “I know of God.” Those who really know Him are purposing to do what He says. They are purposing to do the word of God — allowing it to affect every area of their lives.

It’s not enough to know about God. The question is: Do you know Him? The only way to know Him is by learning His word. In our society today, the church world is putting less and less importance on knowing the word of God (the Bible) and more and more emphasis on feeling good about oneself. So, in turn, people are putting more and more emphasis on who their friends are and less and less emphasis on learning the word of God.

We must believe the Bible literally. We must! Without the word of God, we wouldn’t have any idea who He is. So many today are moving away from the Bible to a message more culturally relevant to the world.

God’s word is the only thing that can save us from our sins. It is the only thing that can free us from the bondage of sin. It is the word you know that helps you. So, we all must be in a church that preaches the pure word of God, not some watered-down version of it. This is one reason I appreciate the people who attend Legacy Church. They love hearing and doing God’s word.

Just a thought,

PSS

Shortcuts can cause you lots of pain, and successful people avoid the trap of taking shortcuts.

Selfish or selfless?

At times, taking shortcuts is a sign of being lazy or not thinking of anyone else but yourself. In order to be successful people, we should purpose to do things right. For example, when going to a grocery store and wheeling the basket to unload into your car, do you take the extra moment to put the shopping cart back into the bin, or do you just leave it out? Do you purpose to leave each person, each place, better than when you found it?

Faithful in little, faithful in much:

See, how we do the small things is a reflection of how we do the big things. Going into a public bathroom and seeing toilet paper all over the floor, and pee all over the seat, I often think, What kind of people do this, leave there, knowing someone else will be using it? It always annoys me.

Do right or do over?

Here is what I know: successful people think of others and understand that taking shortcuts will cost you in the long run. Doing things right, even if it takes you a little longer, will be better for you and save you time in the future. Doing things right just means giving a little more effort. Don’t be the person always looking to cut corners, always looking for loopholes to justify your actions. There seems to be a good excuse for almost anything you do. But it is not worth it.

Learn to be more successful by doing things right — taking a little extra time to think about others as well as yourself.

Just a thought,

PSS