It is difficult to have a thankful spirit in today's culture. Every commercial reminds us of something we need. Viewing Facebook or Pinterest causes us to be dissatisfied with our lives when others are having such fun vacations, romantic meals and getaways with their husbands, beautifully decorated homes and perfect meals. There is is lot to cause us to be discontent.
However, the Lord commands that we be thankful. Those who walk away from the Lord and His ways begin with an unthankful spirit; For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {Romans 1}. Therefore, we must train ourselves and our children to have 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.* One of the GREATEST gifts you can give your husband and children is a spirit of thankfulness. Even when you are going through a difficult time, you can always find things to be thankful for even if it is knowing the fact that Jesus loves you, died for your sins and is preparing a mansion for you one day.
Discontentment is not a product of circumstances; it is the state of the soul...Thankful people have a view of life that begins somewhere deep in their souls, and outside circumstances just can't mar their joy.* The way you do this is by changing your thinking; be transformed by renewing your mind with God's Truth. When your husband is doing something that irritates you, makes you mad or you begin comparing him to other husbands thus falling into a big ole' ugly pity party, quickly change your thinking and begin to think of all those things you love about him: he works hard for you; he loves your children; he is faithful to you, etc. It is learning to control your thoughts and emotions rather than allowing them to control you.
Practice makes perfect. Practice having a merry and thankful heart.* Memorize verses on being thankful. Write them on post-its and put them all over your home. Write them on index cards and put them in your Bible and in your purse. We will never understand the power of God's Word, but we must believe for it is sharper than a two-edged sword and does NOT come back void!
Homework: 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..."Thanksgiving is good; thanksliving is better."*
In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
***Please feel free to write quotes that touched you in the comment section or questions and insights you may have!
*Quotes taken from the book.
***Please feel free to write quotes that touched you in the comment section or questions and insights you may have!
*Quotes taken from the book.
Logging you in...
HappyHomemaker · 486 weeks ago
*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 souls find the discordant notes easily, almost without thought.*
All of these were on page 37.
Many times, I have found myself saying something negative out loud without even thinking about it, it just kind of flows from my mouth without me even realizing it is. At those times, I have to look deep within myself and realize that I have been hitting those negative thoughts and actions automatically because I am not being thankful, grateful and appreciative of all I have been given. Yes, there are hard times for all of us, but that doesn't give me permission or the right to be sour and negative. I always have to remind myself that the Bible says
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.-Phil 4:4
There are no stipulations in that verse, there is no comma with the words as long as things are going good. Also, if I am not thankful and grateful, my husband can tell by my words and actions. I may not realize it, but he does. I don't ever want him to feel like I am not grateful for all he does for me and our family. Doing this study has made me see where I have fell into old ways and need to work on being more thankful and grateful. I KNOW how blessed I am, I just don't always show it, and that needs to change. After all, God gave it all to me, He can certainly take it all away! Who am I that God should choose to bless me? I am nobody, I fail Him EVERY day and yet He still chooses to bless me. There are certainly others that are more deserving than I, but He still chooses to bless me. Wow, what an awesome God!
Lori Alexander 122p · 486 weeks ago
HappyHomemaker · 486 weeks ago
* I am the Queen of his heart and the fire in his bed, at last!*-Pg 38
I think this is a wonderful goal to have.
Lori Alexander 122p · 486 weeks ago
Talita · 486 weeks ago
It is very hard work for me to he joyful. I am very grateful for what I have and all God gave me. It is as if I am never happy with myself. But thank God, I could stop that. I could realize that it doesn't matter how I feel about myself, God crowned me with honor and glory, to glorify His name. That put a song in my heart, a joyfulness I always crave, children who jump around me with joy and a husband who goes to sleep with a smile on his face, because it is well with his house. His wife is happy.
We woman think our husband's don't care for our happiness. Put on that smile and you will be surprise to what difference it makes. Not just to yourself or your husband, but even to your children.
A happy heart is a free gift from God and it is in a choice, with the power of God's word and a prayer to God showing that we need His help. He is faithful and is always helping me.
Thank you, God, for shining light on all the dark corners of my heart and helping me to take up my bed and to stand up and walk, because my sins are forgiven.
Thank you, Lori and HappyHomemaker. Living out of thankfulness is a heart condition. God bless you.
Lori Alexander 122p · 486 weeks ago
Dorothy Leland Langlois · 486 weeks ago
Below are the points that I underlined in the book and wrote down in my CBHH journal I am keeping.
A WISE woman sets a joyful mood in her home. Pg. 35 Yes Lori, I love the verse in Proverbs 14:1 that says, The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. As verse two says I want to walk uprightly before the Lord.
This downcast, unthankful attitude is a dishonor to God! Pg. 35 I want to please God in every way and not bring dishonor to His Name.
Discontentment is not a product of circumstances; it is the state of the soul. Pg. 36 Keeping my heart right and in the Word and not looking at the situation around me!
Joy begins with thankfulness. Quite often our attitudes hang in the balance; by making a conscious choice, we can tip our souls into dark moods of complaining, or unto thankfulness and praise. Pg. 37 I will choose to be thankful to as it says below I will experience the joy is produces.
Thankfulness is how you think, joy is the abundance it produces. Pg. 37
I want my face to reflect joy and thanksgiving to him (my husband). Pg. 38 My husband is definitely the most please when he sees an extra special smile on me and then his pleasure blesses me in return.
Based on Galatians 5:22 Joy is the fruit of the Spirit. If you are a child of God, joy will be a visible reality in your life. Pg. 39 If the Fruit of the Spirit is not evident to those around me I need to be concerned about my relationship with the Lord!
Thank you Lori again for leading our study here.
Lori Alexander 122p · 486 weeks ago