Choose the attitude of gratitude.

Whatever you do, . . . do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.Colossians 3:17

Every autumn we throw a scrumptious Thanksgiving feast on campus at Cornerstone University. Our students love it! Last year a group of students played a game at their table. They challenged each other to name something they were thankful for—in three seconds or less—without repeating what someone else had said. Anyone who hesitated was out of the game.

There are all kinds of things that students might gripe about—tests, deadlines, rules, and a host of other college-type complaints. But these students had chosen to be thankful. And my guess is that they all felt a lot better after the game than they would have if they had chosen to complain.

While there will always be things to complain about, if we look carefully there are always blessings to be thankful for. When Paul describes our newness in Christ, “thankfulness” is the only characteristic mentioned more than once. In fact it is mentioned three times. “Be thankful,” he says in Colossians 3:15. Sing to God “with gratitude in your hearts” (v. 16). And whatever you do, be sure to be “giving thanks to God the Father” (v. 17). Paul’s instruction to be thankful is astonishing when we consider that he wrote this letter from prison!

Today, let’s make the choice to have an attitude of thankfulness.

Lord, teach me the liberating joy of being thankful! Help me to find the blessings that are locked up in the things I complain about and to regularly express my gratitude to You and others. 

选择感恩的态度。

无论做什么……都要奉主耶稣的名，藉着祂感谢父上帝。-歌罗西书3章17节

每年秋天，我们都会在基石大学的校园中，举办丰盛的感恩节盛宴。学生们都非常喜欢这个活动！去年有些学生边吃边玩游戏，他们挑战对方要在三秒钟内说一件感恩的事，而且不能重复别人已经说过的事。任何人只要稍有迟疑，就出局了。

其实大学生可以抱怨的事有一大箩筐，诸如考试、交报告、课堂规定和种种对校园生活的不满，但这群学生却选择做个感恩的人，我猜他们在玩过这游戏之后，心情应该要比选择抱怨更愉快。

尽管可以抱怨的事情实在不少，但只要留心观察，在我们身边总会有值得感恩的事。当保罗谈到我们在基督里成为“新人”时，“感谢”是唯一被他多次提及的特征。事实上，他一共提了三次。他在歌罗西书3章15节说，“要存感谢的心”，又说要“心被恩感，歌颂上帝”（16节） ，且无论做什么，都要“感谢父上帝”（17节） 。如果我们想到保罗写这封信时正身陷囹圄，他对感恩的教导就更令人惊叹了！

今天，就让我们选择以感恩的态度来生活吧！

主啊，求祢教导我懂得感恩，让我得着自由的喜乐！
求祢帮助我，从我经常抱怨的事看到其中的祝福，
且能常常向祢以及他人表达我的感谢。

Colossians 3:12-17New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

整理：于姊妹