Everywhere we look there is a spirit of thanklessness in our societies. Many people are so overly consumed with self and what they possess that they have neglected to give thanks for it.
Examples
The next time you have an opportunity to dine out, have a look around at others (do not stare) while waiting on your food. If you see what I observe, you will see that may people are like pigs feeding at a trough. They dig in their food without ever bowing their heads and giving thanks for what they have been blessed with.
Take pizza for example. Gather some friends around and open up two boxes of pizza and watch what happens. I probably don't need to tell you that hands will grab after a piece like a drowning man after a life preserver.
Self and psychology
The world teaches us to focus on ourselves. "Love yourself!" they scream from psychology. What people fail to understand is that it was agnostics and unbelievers in the rise Jesus who came up with psychology.
Andrew Wommack states that "Christianity and psychology have some things in common: They both state that our actions are the product of inner processes" (Wommack, 2021).
Wommack is right but he really does not delve into how far apart the two are. Psychology promotes humanity as the highest standard of truth and morality and rejects faith, the supernatural, and God's everlasting Word.
But aren't there Christian counselors? Yes. Some use the Bible as their guide, while others use a blend of humanistic psychology and the Bible.
Psychology is secular (non-religious, non-spiritual) and is based on the false concept that humanity is essentially good and that the answer to all problems lies within oneself. How can we be so foolish to believe this?!
But God has a far different view. "Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one (Psalm 53:3, NIV).
Even Jesus said: "Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone" (Mark 10:18, NIV).
As for believers, we trust in God's word. All of the answers to life that we need to know or have answered are in the Scriptures. And yet many of us are thankless for these truths!
Think about all the people who sacrificed their lives so you and I can now avail of God's word, even at our fingertips! Yet many of us have never read the Bible, or read a verse or two whenever it is convenient, or listen to someone else misquote it. This should not be so. Rather, we should search the Scriptures daily and grow in our faith so we can be more transformed into the image of Christ.
Thanklessness
What does God's work have to say about not being thankful? When speaking to the Romans about unbelievers, Paul aid:
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21, ESV).
Paul also wrote: "Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20, ESV).
Writing to the believers in Thessalonica, Paul wrote: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV).
Foolishness
There is a lot of foolishness about today. Frivolity abounds, things that do not matter are a waste of our breath.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7, ESV).
Paul wrote: "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV).
Step away
Are you getting the picture? We need to step away from foolish things of this world and be thankful for all we have. Nothing comes to us that is any good apart from God the Father through Jesus Christ. Let us be mindful of the truth of God and forsake the wisdom and foolishness of this world which is passing away, and cling to the eternal.
References
Wommack, A. (2021). Psychology vs. Christianity. Retrieved from https://www.awmi.net/reading/teaching-articles/psychology_christianity/
Images from https://pixabay.com/
Just saw this. Sometimes I have taken a few bites before I begin to pray. No excuse, but at least I am reminded.