Key Bible Verse: No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Bonus Reading: Psalm 107:8-9

I really tried to be sincere with thank therapy. But on some days things would get desperate and I would find myself thanking God for The Tonight Show or the Endangered Species Act or a good burp. I persevered, though, and after a week or so I did notice that my private whining and complaining outbursts were strangely absent.

After a few weeks of this discipline I was happier about the fact that we were being totally obedient to God with our tithing and debt removal. I was enjoying my sack lunch immensely. I loved hearing how much Chrissy was saving through clipping coupons. I appreciated my old car that had a lot of miles on it. Homemade coffee was just fine and saving me a boatload of cash. Outings with the family cost less and were more creative. We went to the beach a ton that summer for fun. Cheap was chic in south Orange County.

Instead of all that I was being denied, Jim's simple spiritual exercise opened my eyes to all that I had and helped me enjoy those people and things ten times more. But it entailed the risk of going against how I felt at the time (robbed of the little extra indulgences) and doing what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says.

—Kenny Luck in Risk

My Response: I'll ask God to open my eyes to all I have and help me to enjoy it.

Thought to Apply: The contented man is never poor, the discontented never rich. —GEORGE ELIOT (English novelist)

Adapted from Risk (WaterBrook, 2006) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, keep me from accumulating things just to fill a void in my life that only You can fill.

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