A Mind Of Thanks...

Read Philippians chapter 1.

Those things in our lives that we commonly think about and how we feel are generally what is most important to us.
The apostle Paul gives us an example of what it means to be right-minded. In Philippians chapter one he shows us a mind of thanks.

Personal thanks; (1: 3-8 )
Paul seemed to have honestly liked people. He liked the Philippians. He was blessed when with them and missed them when absent. He was not thankful only for God’s blessings in some abstract way, but a genuine thanks for people as individuals. He appreciated the Philippians for their partnership with him in his work of the Gospel. His thankfulness for them led him to feel confident about their future and way of life.

Prayerful thanks; (1:9-11 )
Paul also prayed that their love might abound (overflow) more and more, leading them to better knowledge and more fruitfulness as they remained faithful to Christ and His Words.

Optomistic thanks; (1:2-26)
Optimistic thanks for past events. Even as he was confined by being arrested in Rome, Paul had won many to Christ, even from the Praetorian Guard who kept watch. At the same time other Christians had been made bolder. Even the few Christian preachers who were envious of Paul and tried to bring misery upon him, were still preaching the gospel, and Paul rejoiced and gave thanks in this.
(1: 12-18)

Paul also had optimistic thanks for future hopes. Whether Paul himself lived or died made no real difference to Paul. If he died, that was gain to him; to be with Christ. If he lived, his life would bring progress and joy to many Philippians who as yet did not know Christ. (1: 19-26)

Concerned thanks; (1: 27-30)
Paul was concerned that their manner of life be worthy of the gospel, and that they not be frightened in their Christian walk either by enemies or by any suffering that came their way.

If we have an attitude of thanks for what blessings we have, we will have little time to complain when things seem to be against us. God Bless!!!