In the book God Is Inescapable, Dr. David Soper suggests that the basic difference between a prison and a monastery is the difference between griping and gratitude. Certainly this is true. Imprisoned criminals may spend their waking moments griping. Voluntarily self-imprisoned saints may spend many of their waking moments offering thanks to God. Dr. Soper goes on to say that when a criminal becomes a saint, a prison may become a monastery and when a saint gives up gratitude, a monastery may become a prison.

On this Sunday before Thanksgiving we are not going to take time to do a thorough exposition of the beautiful scripture verses read, but use them to briefly consider our attitude. Some of you may remember that these are among my favorite verses from the Bible. I want to ask, "Do we have the attitude of griping or the attitude of gratitude?" Which of the two is our primary attitude makes a tremendous difference in how we face life, in what we put into life and what we receive from life.

Think with me for a moment about the

I. Attitude of Griping

While Soper may well be correct that griping is the predominant attitude in a prison, we are well aware of the fact that griping is not limited to those places. During visits to prisons through the years I will admit that I have heard numerous complaints and gripes from inmates. However, in our society at large there is much griping and complaining about many things including the economy, the market for corn and beans, the weather, the government, the president, world affairs, war, crime, the neighbors, and even the church. Sometimes, dare I say often times; it is persons within the church griping. Is that the attitude Christians are to have? Do you hear the Scriptures telling us to have the attitude of griping? Is that a characteristic of prayer that we should imitate?

Even though Paul had faced difficult circumstances and He wrote the letter to the church at Colossae and the letter to Philippi while he was in prison, he called us to have an attitude of gratitude.

II. Attitude of Gratitude

Listen again to what he said. Phil 4:4-7.

While our circumstances are a little different, some of us, like Paul, could think we have ample reason for an attitude of griping. WE could have a poor me pity party. Where would that get us? Of course, it would make us much more miserable. Why enslave ourselves to such an existence?

Rejoice in the Lord! Express thanks to the Lord! Focus on the true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent and praiseworthy things!

My friends, learn with Paul, true Godly contentment, rather than complaining. Learn contentment with all of God's bountiful blessings. Choose to be content even when you think someone else may have a blessing that you do not possess.

Consider the early pilgrims gathering with some of their new native American friends for a Thanksgiving celebration. Recall that they had faced much hardship, but chose an attitude of gratitude over an attitude of griping. Today, Thanksgiving Day, and as you gather at other times during this season, take time to consider your many blessings.

Conclusion

While you might rationalize reasons for the attitude of griping - get rid of that harmful attitude and put on the attitude of Gratitude! Figuratively speaking, are you living in a prison or a monastery?

Return