Chapter 3: A Thankful Spirit
'A wise woman sets a joyful mood in her home. Through laughter, music, and happy times, she creates a positive attitude in her children. She knows that a lighthearted home relieves her husband of stress.'
Yikes, another chapter directed at me!!! I've really got to work on my poor-me attitude and get myself a merry heart!! :D There is so much good wisdom in this chapter, I will be quoting a lot of it. :)
'Discontentment is not a product of circumstances; it us the state of the soul.'
'Thankful people have a view of life that begins somewhere deep in their soul, and outside circumstances just can't mar their joy. To them, life is a wonderful, continuous dream come true. All of life is blesses, and they see themselves as being in a continual feast.'
Joy begins with thankfulness. Quite often our attitudes hang in the balance; by making a a conscious choice, we can tip our souls into dark moods of complaining, or into thankfulness and praise. It is amazing how much your mouth controls your soul. You can smile with your mouth and say, "Thank you, God; thank you, husband; thank you, children," and your spirit is directed into gratitude with joy following. Thankfulness is how you think; joy is the abundance it produces.'
'Most people have practiced hitting the notes of bitterness, sourness, hurt feelings, and frustration so long that their soul finds the discordant notes easily, almost without thought. But you don't have to keep on practicing discord; you can practice joy and thanksgiving just as easily, and certainly with more pleasure. Every day, every right response makes the fingers of your soul find the notes of joy and thanksgiving easier and easier...'
'Learn to enjoy life. Be thankful. Smile. When you catch yourself becoming irritated or disturbed at circumstances, stop and laugh at the little things that steal your peace. Count your blessings and learn to be appreciative.'
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23)
'Phil 4:6 tells us to "be careful for nothing," which is to say, don't worry and fret about everything being just perfect, but be content with what you have.'
WOW, that is exactly what I need to remember and start doing!!! I'm a total perfectionist and I often get frustrated when things don't go perfectly!!! I am working on this and praying that God helps me become a content and thankful help meet!!! :D
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