Do You Have A Long Memory When It Comes To Thankfulness?

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)

I was recently thinking about a man who died a few years ago who had a number of faults that sometimes got him into trouble. Then I recalled a very kind act he did on my behalf when I was a teenager. It struck me how easy it was to recall that man’s faults, yet I had overlooked a number of things I liked about the man. And this seemed a shame to me. How easily we recall other people’s faults and forget their kind, good actions and better side of their nature.

It is too easy to forget the many good things that come our way. When people do good, kind acts for us, blessing us in many ways, we can too soon forget such acts. On the other hand, how often do we recall when someone has done us wrong or caused us grief?

We have a selective memory, often recalling the bad things in our lives and forgetting or overlooking the many good things that come our way. God brings us blessings in many forms. We have a gracious and giving Father who brings wonderful people our way, and we should forever be grateful and thankful for the good things He bestows upon us.

We should cultivate a short memory when it comes to the faults of others and wrongs done to us. Yet we ought never to forget the deluge of blessings that God brings to us, often through the kind acts of others.

Where do your thoughts drift to? Consider this week the many kind acts of others on your behalf, and remember that God has brought numerous blessings your way. We have all had bad things happen to us, frequently at the hands of others. Yet when we recall the many good things others have done for us, and the numerous blessings God has given to us, we lift our spirit and thoughts to a higher plane of gratitude and thankfulness for all the blessings we have received.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You have given us so much and blessed us in so many ways. Thank You for the blessings, and the good people and their kind acts in our lives. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016