A “Dog” Gone Thankful View of Our Life’s Troubles

How often do you find yourself depressed because of today’s economic problems, just trying to keep up with the ever rising problems in our society and budgets?

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Have you found some sordid comfort in moping about… mulling over your problems? Are you troubled and discontent that your spouse does not treat you as you wish? That your wealth is spent, or left to others? Do you complain that your health is broken, or that you are not as well as you would be? Do you pity yourself that you have no true friends? Or that you have too many enemies? Do you envy the prosperous, and grieve that you do not have as nice a home, or such and such a plaything, or cannot go on here or there at your pleasure? Do you murmur that you have not been given due credit for your labor and sacrifice? Are you thankful for everything in your life? Are you thankful for your troubles, frustrations, unfulfilled expectations, you fill in the blank? I think it is easy to be thankful for the good things in our lives, but not the difficult things. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. The past few years in my life have been extremely difficult. There is no need to go into all the specifics. Through the difficulties I have learned more about God’s faithfulness and care for me. I have come to God as a little child and saying, “Please, take care of me.” I don’t have the answers. When I focus on God instead of myself I become renewed and refreshed. Now, if you had asked me several years ago did I want these particular difficulties – I would have given you a resounding, NO! I would tell you now I would not trade those difficulties for easy times, because of the precious knowledge and growth that occurred in my relationship with God. The verse that has been my stronghold is “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. God has taught me the only sure thing in this world is his love for me and his overwhelming mercy and grace. Now, please don’t hear me saying be a “happy” Christian and say Praise the Lord for whatever is happening in your life. God does not expect us to pretend. We can bring all our hurts and frustrations to him. Being thankful is not optional; it is commanded. "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thess 5:18) You do well to take stock of your life… and be genuinely thankful. There's something to be said for learning from our fellow creatures. If the dog has the most positive attitude and the most grateful disposition, then Eyor, the donkey from Winnie the Pooh, represents the other side of that coin. He always chooses the negative view and if he's ever grateful, it's only when he has to be. "I suppose I should feel thankful for something," he might say on Thanksgiving Day, and then go off and brood. I would encourage you when you are going through trials and tribulations to ask God what he has to teach you through this difficult time. I know our first reaction is to just pray, “Lord, get me out of this difficulty”, but I would encourage you to go one step further and say, “What do you have to show me?” How can I trust you when everything is crashing down around me? As a mortal person, as a Christian, as a man or as a woman or as a boy or as a girl, as one who walks upon God's green earth, who breathes His air, who drinks His water, who enjoys His sunshine and His rain, who sees His earthly light, who sees His spiritual light and truth, who has access to all the riches of heaven because of the boundless mercy and love of God through Jesus Christ, who is even called into the deepest fellowship with the eternal loving God -- from Whom every good and perfect gift comes, be thankful. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever." (Psalms 136:1) Yes, yes... give thanks. Imagine what creature has the most consistently positive attitude, the most grateful disposition. Did any of you think of a dog? Last night I ran across this reading of "The Thirteen Commandments" (from the Canine Old Testament): - When family members come home, drop what you're doing and run to greet them. - Let others know when they have invaded your territory. - Take naps; stretch before rising. - Run, romp, and play daily. - Eat with gusto and concentration. - Be loyal. - Never pretend to be something you're not. - If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. - When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close, and nuzzle him or her gently. - Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. - When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. - No matter how often you are scolded, never pout. Run right back and make friends. - Delight in the simple joys of taking a long walk. Unlike the dog, who seems practically unable to be other than positive and grateful, and unlike Eyor who was created by Milne to be the epitome of negative and unappreciative, we humans have a choice of which side of the path we want to walk along (the one that's partly shady or the one that's partly sunny), or which cup we pick to drink from (the one that's half empty or the one that's half full). It's the same path and the same cup. We choose the attitude with which we view our world. Gratitude to our Lord for all the trial and tribulations in our life is a very positive attitude. It is one way to begin, or to enhance, our focus on being positive in our lives. It is a path to well-being and peace. So take a moment now, and think about what you are thankful for. I do. I thank God and Christ every night, no matter how tired or busy I am before bed, and I thank God and Christ, for my attitude and gratitude in sending all my dogs and animals to me, to give me peace of mind during all the trials of my life that I go through every single day. No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich. No man can be condemned for owning a dog. As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the poorer he gets, the better friend he has. So look at the world a little differently, while thanking God and Christ, along with your dog for the little things each day in life, and you just might realize how much you have to be thankful for.