We are quick with our little phrases concerning some of the tasks we have to do. How often have you said, “I hate this politician,” “I hate driving in this traffic,” or “I hate cleaning this place up,” or “I hate having to go to Walmart,”or “I hate this team.” Probably a lot more often than we even realize, we complain and voice our opposition to the things in life. I never enjoyed cutting grass when I was growing up. It was just WORK. I can recall many times that I said I hated the chore. It took up too much of my time and I didn’t enjoy it. Now, cutting grass is one of my most enjoyable things to do. It is a time that I can do a lot of thinking while I am doing something productive. When you replace complaining with being thankful you have the opportunity, you change your approach and the outcome of your effort. (Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.) You actually have the power to talk yourself into or out of doing things. You can talk yourself into hating and despising something or you can talk yourself into loving and enjoying the same thing. When you realize that we are only able to do the things we do because God has blessed us with the ability and strength to do them, it changes our approach. Instead of saying, “I hate this,” you will begin to say “Thank you God for the health and strength to do this.” The task doesn’t change, you just change your approach to it. You work with a thankful heart and that opens the door for God to bless your efforts. Change you approach. Change your outcome. Pastor Don [image: image.png]