One day, I met a young mother. I knew the mother was experiencing some financial difficulty. Her daughter was pouting and decided to tattle on her mom. When I asked the little girl how she was doing, she said in her best pouty voice, “I only have two pairs of shoes.” 

I smiled and with all the excitement I could muster, I said, “ Wow, you have two pairs of shoes! What a special little girl you are. You are so lucky you have two pairs of shoes. You must have a mommy who loves you!” 

The mom smiled and mouthed, “Thank you.” The child looked confused.

There are two sides to every situation, two points of view to every circumstance. We choose what will focus on and how we will react. We can complain because the glass is half empty or we can praise God because it’s half full. 

We can pout about only having two pairs of shoes or we can give thanks to the Father for supplying us with more than we need (we can only wear one pair at a time). The former will produce discontentment, discouragement, disappointment. The later will produce joy, faith, and hope. 

Disappointment is birthed out of ungratefulness.

Instead of complaining about your job, be thankful you have a job with a paycheck.

Instead of complaining about unemployment, be thankful for the free time you have to spend with God.

Instead of complaining about your bank account balance be thankful you have food to eat.

Every cloud has a silver lining. God is in every circumstance. In the middle of your greatest failure, your most difficult trial, look to Him and declare, you are good. I will give thanks.

“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV