Gratitude

     In Daniel Defoe’s classic Robinson Crusoe, the shipwrecked protagonist begins keeping a tally of his life. He lists his problems as well as a corresponding inventory of things for which to give thanks.

     Crusoe’s pros and cons surprise him. For every evil, a good is present to even it out. For example, the castaway doesn’t have any clothes — but the weather’s so warm he doesn’t need any. He lost all his provisions at sea — but has access to water and fresh fruit.

     Under the “evil” category, Crusoe writes: “I am singled out and separated, as it were, from all the world to be miserable.” Yet the corresponding “good” puts things into perspective: “But I am singled out too from all the ship’s crew to be spared from death; and he that miraculously saved me from death can deliver me from this condition.”

     When you’re tempted to hold a pity party, step back and thank God, your Rescuer, for all the blessings he provides.

______________________________________

“Gratitude gets us through the hard stuff. To reflect on your blessings is to rehearse God’s accomplishments. To rehearse God’s accomplishments is to discover his heart. To discover his heart is to discover not just good gifts but the Good Giver.  Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. It does to anxiety what the morning sun does to valley mist. It burns it up.”    

         —Max Lucado, You’ll Get Through This