Gratitude...A powerful spiritual tool

Yesterday, I lost my cool on I-85 during my commute home.  I usually could care less about those who wish to engage in road rage.  I usually don't let traffic bother me.  I usually am talking to friends (on my hands free device) or talking to God, listening to Dave Ramsey or some good worship music or Andy Stanley message.  However, yesterday, I found myself not in fit spiritual condition.  I was about 1/2 way home when I was driving in the left lane (the lane closest to the HOV lane for you fellow Atlantans and Gwinnettians). 

 I was driving about 65 when a sports sedan got right on my tail and began to flash his lights at me as if to say, "You're driving way to slow, and whatever I am in a hurry to get to is way more important than you or I arriving safely".  I try to accommodate such people just to avoid getting frustrated and i'll move over a lane.  However, yesterday I could not.  There were several cars to the right of me and even slowing down drastically so I could let him by would have been a futile effort.  So I ignored his request and kept my distance from the car in front of me.  This did not make him happy.  He then proceeded to illegally move into the HOV lane and pass me as close to my car as physically possible.  If i had my window down, I could have touched his side view mirror.  He then moved back into my lane, coming ever so close to clipping my left front quarter panel.  I then did something I don't usually do.  




I honked.  


I was mad.  


He then told me in an all too common way that I was his "number 1" three consecutive times, which got under my skin.  But I didn't do anything towards his direction.  I just let his actions bother me.  Then I was mad at myself for letting him get under my skin.   There's no reason to treat anyone like that.  Was I wrong for honking my horn at him?  Perhaps.  He was probably just hoping I would react to his behavior so he could vent some of his anger at himself the the world at me.  When I honked at him, I enabled him to take his rage further.  So for that I am sorry.   


Its at this point that I could write about forgiveness and confession or acceptance or prayer for others.  But today I'm going to take the gratitude slant.   Later on that evening, I confessed my guilt to my wife about letting that guy get under my skin and honking at him.  That relieved my guilt.  Within 10 minutes of the incident, I was praying to God for forgiveness and that my heart would forgive him.  But what truly gave me peace about the situation was gratitude.


I'm grateful that I'm not carrying around what he is.


I'm grateful that I didn't get as angry as I once did and could have escalated the situation worse.


I'm grateful that I have a job, a paid for car, and the opportunity to connect with friends on my commute home.


Gratitude acknowledges that I am not the source of peace, of the good things in my life.  Gratitude acknowledges that God is the reason for all things in my life. 


Gratitude gets me out of self.  Gratitude helps me not to be self-centered and prideful (probably my biggest character defect) and helps keep me from the sinful nature.  Gratitude helps me think of others.  Gratitude helps me grow in my relationship with God.


How does one practice Gratitude?


I do this in five ways:

1. Get on your knees.  First thing in the morning.  Prayer is the best way to get your mind and spirit centered on our Creator.  It is the way I thank God for everything He has sent my way and for everyone he has put into my life.  The days my first thoughts are "thank you, God for this new day.  Thank you, God for saving me" are the days that I have peace.  
2. Talk to God throughout the day.  Tell him whats on your mind and remember he wants to hear from you.  Its about getting your heart in the right spot to be available to serve Him. Sometimes you do have to "fake it until you make it".  That has been my experience. 
3. Remember where everything comes from: See I can see Gas prices tick up 10 cents in one week and immediately get angry or fall into fear of financial insecurity, or I can react like this "Thank you God for providing me the resources to fill my car up with gasoline, with the job that I'm driving to today, with the car that I am able to drive and that is economical on gas (I drive a '97 Honda Civic)."  I can focus on what I don't have, or I can be grateful for the abundance I have from God.  
4. Remember I was a sinner and He saved me.  When things get really squirrelly in my head and I'm in selfish mode, if I can remember that "Oh yeah, remember that sin and death problem you have no power over, well God saved me from that through His Son, Jesus Christ".  Its really difficult to be upset about where I am at today when I can remember that the price for my sins has been paid in full.  When I can remember that I am here for God's purpose.  Gratitude for the gift of salvation makes every other "problem" in my life seem insignificant.  Here's the side benefit of remembering where my salvation came from - I'll want to share that with others.  There is nothing that helps me get out of my self better than sharing Christ with others.
5. Make a list.  When all else fails - make a gratitude list.  Write it down.  You will be surprised at what this will do in your life.

So back to my I-85 Story.  I'm grateful that God got my attention that I was not in fit spiritual condition, without me creating any wreckage (literally, spiritually and relationally).  I was able to confess to my wife and thank God for speaking to me.  Then, get this, I was able to pray for the guy on the highway....and honestly hope that he feels better about himself and the world that that if he doesn't know God, that one day he may.

I want to close today with a quote that is printed up and hanging in my office.  It is by Melody Beattie.  I first read this in my Recovery Devotional Bible.  It is so beautiful.  I pray you can experience a gratitude attack today.  Be blessed!

Say thank you, until we mean it. Thank God, life and the Universe for everyone and everything sent your way. 

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events.  It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Gratitude makes things right.

Gratitude turns negative energy into positive energy.  There is no situation or circumstance so small or large that it is not susceptible to gratitude’s power.  We can start with who we are and what we have today, apply gratitude, then let it works its magic.

Say thank you, until you mean it.  If you say it long enough, you will believe it.

-Melody Beattie

Come to me all who are weary

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

 This passage from the Gospel of Matthew gives me great comfort this week.  Last week, I was part of another amazing company-wide meeting where we met in Washington, DC.  All of our company goes to this meeting and for five days we discuss the state of the business, the future of the business and have some fun.  Its more like a big family reunion than a typical "boring" company meeting.  We even have an optional worship service on Sunday evening.  Its a lot of work, though.   Most days are 12-14 hours long.  We all come home exhausted (in a good way).  Despite the hard work, it was truly a great week.  


After our five-day meeting, I returned to my home Wednesday night, just in time for church activities with the kids.  On Thursday, I planned on doing some work at home, but it never happened.  I found myself taking about a 30 minute nap Thursday afternoon - I clearly needed some rest.  Friday, my wife and I left for a wonderful marriage retreat.  We returned Saturday and had a busy Sunday ahead.  Sunday School saw a challenging message on fasting delivered by our teacher and then our series on marriage in our church concluded.  My heart, soul and brain were full....but it wasn't over yet...


Yesterday, though, was the epitome of how my last 10 days have gone.  I got up early, as usual, attended a meeting, drove to work, had a busy morning, ran 6 miles at lunch, more work, left the office at 3:30 to head out into the field to address an issue, left from there, had phone calls the entire drive home, as soon as i got home, I made pizza for the family, left dinner early to get to visitation, drove 35 minutes to and 35 minutes from the house we visited, came home, did the dishes, walked the dog and and *whew* the day was done!


Everything I listed above was good stuff - some of it even Godly stuff, but boy did I need some rest....


...Mentally, physically and emotionally.  


Fortunately, Jesus offers us a solution.  In a fallen world, we can take days or weeks like I just had and keep on going.  We can run run run run until we can't run anymore and wonder why we are not fulfilled, why life still seems unmanageable.  I've done that so many times prior to coming to Christ and even a few times since coming to Christ.  


I decided this morning to take refuge in Christ.  After my quiet time, I attended my Tuesday Morning Men's meeting and we discussed how to be better servants.  We are studying a book that talks about the Mind and Heart of Christ for the Lenten season.  It was just the recharge I needed.  See I can either take my last 10 days, be self-centered and say "woe is me, look at all I had to do, or did do".  Or, I can be grateful for all of these opportunities, acknowledge that it was a lot and that I am a little tired and therefore take refuge in Christ.  Today,  I'm allowing my body, mind and spirit to renew by praying frequently, listening to some good music and working at a moderate pace. 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"  - Matthew 4:4 NIV

I have found (mostly the hard way) that if I stay God-centered, my days go so much better.  Its okay to take rest and refuge when our bodies, spirits and minds need it.  If you are feeling tired, beat down, exhausted, stop.  Take refuge in Christ.  Open your bible and read.  Get on your knees and pray.  Turn on your favorite worship song and listen.  Or simply lay down, close your eyes and allow God to renew your soul.