Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.
Ephesians 5:20 NASB
Do you struggle with being satisfied with your current situation in life? Discontent is a heart disease that manifests in comparing, coveting, and complaining. What is the cure? The habit of gratitude. Thanking God for everything—the good and the bad—means we accept it as His will, even if we don’t like it.
Sometimes we receive birthday or Christmas gifts we have no desire for, but we still thank the giver. God is the good giver of every perfect gift (James 1:17). Failing to thank Him is rebellion against His wisdom and ways. If we expect Him to do things the way we want or to give us more, we forget that God owes us nothing.
When God commands thanksgiving, He is not mandating our feelings but rather our submission. However, because thankfulness changes our attitude and outlook, it does affect our feelings. Discontent and resentment cannot coexist with humble acceptance of what happens to us. Therefore, thanking God must become our lifelong habit. When we turn out the light every night, we can review our day and thank God for each event—good and bad—because He allowed it, and He is good. We can be satisfied with that.
Bountiful Father, I’m sorry I often rebel against Your sovereign plan for me. Thank You for doing all things well. Your essence is love, and every mark You make in my life is a love mark, conforming me to Christ. I accept Your will and Your ways.
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Today’s reading was adapted from Daily Wisdom for Women: 2016 Devotional Collection with permission from Barbour Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading was written by Marcia Hornok.
I think that discontentment, disillusionment, disgust, depression, despair, defeat, dejection, discouragement, disappointment, despondency, Disheartenment, and last but not least disgust, are real problems for Christians. But what you are suggesting will not work. You have nailed the issue, but did not provide a valid solution.
Gratitude is not a cure all. Obviously some people are going to need medication and/or therapy to help with all the issues you listed. However, being grateful does provide a solution in the sense that you are focusing on the positive rather than wallowing in the negative. And that can and will help a great deal.