A Very Short Gripe Session
This Week's Theme: Giving Thanks
Monday, February 28, 2000
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: He has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping (Psalm 66:9). Bonus Reading: Psalm 66:8-12
"A party of pioneers on the Oregon Trail had suffered for weeks from a scarcity of water and grass for their animals. Most of the wagons had broken down, causing endless delays in the stifling heat. A feeling of fretfulness and futility prevailed. Optimism and cheer were gone. Courage was in limited supply.
One night the leaders called a meeting to air complaints. When they had gathered around the campfire, one man stood up and said, "Before we commence our grief session, don't you think we should at least first thank God that he has brought us this far with no loss of life, with no serious trouble from the Indians, and that we have enough strength left to finish our journey?"
The other settlers agreed. After the brief prayer, all that could be heard was the cries of a distant pack of wolves. There was otherwise stone silence around the campfire, because no one had any grievances they felt were important enough to voice.
They suddenly realized if they couldn't be satisfied with what they'd received, they could at least be thankful for what they'd escaped. Thankfulness enabled them to see the mercies of
God they had been overlooking.
Gregory L. Jantz in Becoming Strong Again
Personal Challenge:
-
Take a few minutes to thank God for things He gave you today.
Thought to Apply: When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?
GEORGE CANNING (BRITISH POLITICIAN, 19TH CENTURY)
Credits: Adapted fromMonday: Becoming Strong Again (Baker, 1998)
Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail mail@menofintegrity.net.
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