Posts Tagged ‘gratitude’

One of the stumbling blocks that the Lord had to move me past in bringing me to faith was the truth of the sin nature of man. I sincerely believed that I was a good person at heart. I was faithful to my husband and worked hard at my job, loved my children and was always willing to help someone in need.

When I heard that everyone, including me, is a sinner, it was stunning news. When I asked God to show me if it was true, He did. Repeatedly. (Enough said about that!).

Fast forward to now, a time when I have opportunity to teach the next, and the next, generation these truths from the scripture. I am always on the look-out for what might be a good resource to use, especially with my grandchildren.

My latest “find” is “Sir Badalot and the Cranky Danky Dragon,” by Rachel Jankovic. I have already read it to the children several times. My initial thought was that it is a good teacher with regard to self-control and being able to change our minds when the “cranky danky dragon” in our heart is coming out.

As I continue to read it (kids can hear the same book a lot of times!) I am seeing a very biblical message for every Christian, not just grandchildren.

It was obvious to me as I was going through comments in an online Christian group as people were lamenting the results of the election. All that was being discussed was how awful the state of our nation is, how bad the choices of candidates are, and how fraudulent the elections seem to be now.

Though I agree with all of this I wanted to scream, “Why are you downcast? Do you not know that the Lord puts rulers into place, that the king’s heart is in the hands of the Lord and He will turn it wherever He wishes?” (Proverbs 21:1)

Though being thankful after an election these days may be difficult, it is more difficult for us to labor for the Lord, to be His ambassador, or to fight for what His Word tells us is right, if the most prominent part of our personality is showing others the “cranky danky dragon.”

In the book “Sir Badalot” becomes thankful for what he has and it just kills that dragon within. This is as necessary a lesson for the adult as it is for the children.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” (James 1:2) can seem like an impossible command until we look at the goodness of the Lord and recognize that, in spite of what it may look like, He will never leave us nor forsake us!

Do we understand that just like “Sir Badalot” we can reverse our anger, fear, doubt, and discouragement about our elected officials by being thankful for a Great God who “rules over all” (1 Chronicles 29:11)? We cannot claim to see exactly what He is doing but we can know that He is faithful and trustworthy so that we can faithfully do the next thing He has for us with gratitude and a cheerful heart.

How do we show the world this antidote for anger and discouragement?

An antidote of thankfulness, though we are not happy with the state of our nation, shows that we are perfectly satisfied with the sovereignty of our God.

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:1-5)