Divine Attitude Adjustment: How God Gave Me a Grateful Heart

Everyone has struggles in life, but for me, I just learned a powerful lesson about my attitude toward those struggles. Instead of praising God for all the wonderful things he has given me and done for me, I was in complaint mode.
I work 35 hours per week at a wonderful ministry that helps hurting women, then I come home and work another 30 hours per week as a writer, editor and life coach. As I build up my client base, I enjoy watching how God uses my work to make a difference in others’ lives.
But lately, my attitude has been stinky. Instead of thanking God for the work and the results I had been seeing, I complained to him about how hard it is.
“I am sick and tired of ‘nickel and dimeing’ my way through life, God. I don’t understand why some people have it so easy and make money as quickly as rabbits make babies. Why do I have to work so hard? I’m sick and tired of these financial struggles.”
I imagine God was sick and tired of listening to me complain, because instead of making my life easier – he added a little difficulty. In the middle of one of my whining sessions about finances, he reminded me to be a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) and whispered to my heart to add another 20 dollars to the offering plate at church. In cash.
“But I already sent in my tithe, God, and now you’re asking me to give more? Plus, if I write a check, the business manager at church will give me credit for it and I will earn a bigger tax deduction at the end of the year. If I give it in cash, no one will ever know. Another 20 dollars? Seriously?”
But God would not leave the subject alone, and he ignored my complaints. I inwardly fought with him during the entire worship service. By the time the offering plate came around, I knew what I needed to do and was able to toss in my 20-dollar bill with a somewhat obedient, though not exactly cheerful, heart.
Maybe God was reminding me of how grateful I should be that I had another 20 to put into the offering.
Because I’ve been working so hard and earning those nickels and dimes, a 20-dollar bill hid inside my billfold, just waiting for an opportunity to give it away.
After church, I spent some time on my deck, looking at my flowers and thanking God for the beauty of spring. Then I thanked him for being patient with me as I try to learn how to be a more cheerful giver – but inwardly, I still wondered why I have to work so hard to make a buck. From my point of view, it seems that the rest of the world has plenty of money to make investments, buy new cars and enjoy travel during their retirement years.
In that moment, God reminded me of Psalm 73 and how the writer of that Psalm, Asaph, also found himself in a complaining mood. He also needed an attitude adjustment because he wondered about the prosperity of the wicked and the seemingly carefree life of the rest of the world.
“This is what the wicked are like,” Asaph wrote, “always carefree, they increase in wealth” (Psalm 73:12).
Yes, I totally understood that feeling.
Asaph went on to explain how unfair it was and then finally, he recognized his own complaining spirit. “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you” (Psalm 73:21-22).
After reading this, I shook my head. “Oh, God, I really don’t want to be a brute beast. Nor do I want to be bitter.”
God reminded both Asaph and me that he is always with us. He holds us by the hand and guides us. After this life, he will take us to glory where it won’t matter how many nickels and dimes we have. The only investment that will count then is how we spent our lives serving him and loving him. What a powerful truth! I could feel God nudging me to smile and be grateful for his blessings, rather than complaining.
Asaph closes out the Psalm with a similar divine attitude adjustment. He writes, “It is good to be near God” (Psalm 73:28).
I have to agree with Asaph. No matter how hard I work or how little money I make, the important thing is to grow nearer to God and let him adjust those places in me that have unpleasant attitudes. “It is good to be near God” and I rejoice in that – even if I am still working hard for every nickel and dime.
Check out an earlier post by RJ Thesman here.
Amen
Amen
Amen!
Amen!
Praise The Lord and amen
That my two are walking with the Lord and raising their children in His ways. This is my prayer!
Amen
Being able to see, touch and feel my family and all of creation! Mostly because the Creator of the universe loves me and you ! That is just unfathomable!
That includes my church family and all my other friends I grew up with!
AMEN!!!
Receiving a lot of post with no photos etc. Is FB up to something?
oh yes, this would be a grand joy, along with health and enough money to be comfortable , for everyone:)
Amen
Praise god
AMEN
I pray every night for my children and their mates. Also for my married grandchildren who are now raising little ones. I pray they will pass on the baton of what they were taught about morals, what is right and what is wrong. Then when I die and go to my reward I hope to see everyone of them. What a great reunion that will be. To know one might be lost is why i pray daily for the relationship with Christ.
amen
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AMEN!!!!! Praise the LORD……
Amen and I pray that every night before retiring.
THANK YOU JESUS!
Tina each day I wake up I go to your face book. It lefts me up tha nnk you
GOD is so Good!
amen
AMEN
This is Multnomah Falls, Oregon!!! I hiked at this beautiful falls many times!!!
This is my earnest prayer.
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AMEN AMEN!!!!!!?
amen
Amen!!
AMEN
AMEN
Amen..
I have always prayed for that! One of them has turned her back on the Lord and God hasn’t brought her back yet; but we still continue to pray!
I’ve been there!
THANK LORD
thank you Lord
I prayed it every night . amen.
Yes
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I wish I knew that all of mine are. I just have to trust that they will find the Way.
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In this world . . . my greatest joys have been my children. And now I pray also . . . ” that the good work that was started in them will be completed through Christ Jesus ” . . .
AMEN
AMEN!!!
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AMEN
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Amen!!!!!!!
amen….
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Do ppl understand this? If so why are Christians so worldly bringing it into the church. What reason do you entertain the friendship of the world
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Today Amen
Amen love the rose
Amen !!!!
Amen.
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I am grateful for the grandkids they are a true blessing from God
I’am grateful that Jesus loves me an never gives up on me .
God i an grateful for my life n everything in my life the good things are blessings the bad things teaches me the way you want things in my life so it is all good ty god for my life .
I am grateful for the beauty of your creation, for your love and for redeeming me.
Thank u Lord
Amen
Gratefull for saving me and Gratefull for my Family,I LOVE YOU JESUS FOR EVERYTHING
JESUS CHRIST and my Wife
Salvation and The Lords ABUNDANCE of HIS MUCH-needed FAVOR, Grace, and Mercy over my life! Thank You Jesus!
family friends neigbors lord jesus first and foremost
I thank my lord for never giving up on me
Amen
Thank you Lord for all you have done for me! I am grateful!
this day and everyday
Trials in my life to change me to be like Him…
AMEN!!!
SO THANKFUL I HAVE A HOUSE TO CLEAN~~A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T AFTER THE TORNADOES THAT HIT A WEEK OR SO AGO!
I’m grateful every morning I wake up.
Amen
I am grateful for God’s loving kindness, His healing powers, Grace, Mercy, and never leaves me!
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My God’s strong and faithful love.
What Jesus did for me
MY HUSBAND
“Thank You God”… Amen…
I’m alive and I’m in good health
Amen !!!!
His love.
grateful I have know Jeanne for over 29 years ! Not Just a face book Friend ! A Life Time Friend ! We good way back! She is one Great Lady! An I love her still to this day!
Amen
Amen Help us all remember why we are grateful
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God, life, my kids, & family.
I’m grateful Jesus loves me and that I have all I need. Jesus has given to me much more than I feel I deserve.
Amen
WELL STATED, AMEN!!!
Amen!
Amen❤
..i have a lot of things,to be grateful for,..a place to sleep,at night,man..the basic’s,..a job,..that,really..a lot of people,don’t even have.
Everything god has done for me
I’m grateful that Jesus has forgiven me of my sins
Amen.
My relationship with Jesus, my family, my friends, my health, college education, my dog Randy, my job that I have as a church childcare nurseryworker
Amen
Amen
Yes amen
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AMEN
Glory, hallelujah.
AMEN!
AMEN
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rejoice amen
AMEN
One of my favorites.
Beautiful day!:)
I will .
Amen.
Amen