Christianity Oasis Member Forum & Chat Room

Gratefulness gas been on my mind lately and this is good. Someone told me at an AA meeting years ago that we had to stay grateful and humble.
I try to take inventory of my daily actions and thought to see if gratefulness is there and if I am harboring resentments.
We as addictive people have to have God to help us through. We seem to want to do it ourselves. BUT, "we" are the ones who got ourselves in the shape that we got in. We cannot blame anyone but ourselves. We have a choice each day. God gives us that liberty.
There are a few people here at Oasis who PM me and tell me how many days they have been without a drink or a drug. They are grateful to have made it this many days without. And...... It makes me happy too for them.
I tell them just take it One Day At AT Time!
It takes alot of work to learn how to live life on life terms without the help of a substance. It's a slow process and we HAVE to want to.
As I have become more dependent on my Creator to help lead and guide me; doing the best I can; has lessened the load and this requires faith and patience.
I just wanted to share for those who read this to ponder on the thought of being grateful as Easter arrives. I am grateful that my Lord Died and arose for you and I. I certainly didn't deserve be be a child of His. But His Love surpasses what we can comprehend.
If you you are tempted to "use"; remember that NOTHING good can be the outcome. Ask Him to help you overcome for that moment and He will.
Be grateful for what little you have and reach out to someone who needs a friend or just a smile. You can make a difference in their life and then they will begin to know the meaning of being grateful.

Happy Easter!


Luv Ya

Real

Hello Real

Thank you for your kind and encouraging message. Gratitude is so very important, it prepares the heart to receive such wonderful blessings from Him.

I'm grateful to Him. I'm also grateful to be in His loving family with you, Real, and with all our brothers and sisters in Christ.

God bless you, and Happy Easter. He Lives!
Love,
Mack

This also includes contentment in which took years or me learn. We have to keep our eyes off the world and on Him.

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Philippians 4:11 NASB)

Our world promotes dissatisfaction with our lives. We are constantly bombarded with newer and better things that will make our lives more complete if only we would obtain them! If we listen to the world, we will always be comparing the lifestyles and possessions of others with our own, and we will always be dissatisfied. If our contentment comes from possessions, activities, or other people, these can be altered or removed. If our contentment comes from our relationship with Christ, there is absolutely nothing that can take that away.

Paul had enjoyed power and status among his people. He had also been imprisoned and bound in stocks in the depths of a jail cell. He had stood before a king and been stoned almost to death by an angry mob. Paul had enjoyed the benefits and pleasures of life, yet he could give them all up and still be filled with the joy of the Lord. His contentment did not depend on his environment but on his relationship with Christ.

Contentment frees you to enjoy every good thing God has given you. Contentment demonstrates your belief that God loves you and has your best interest in mind. Discontent stems from the sin of ingratitude and a lack of faith that God loves you enough to provide for all that you need. Strive to be grateful for all that God has given you. A grateful heart has no room for envy.

Luv Ya

Real

Also.... We are responsible for how we feel. When things are going as I would like, I know that God is in control and allowing me to learn a lesson.
I have always had to learn the hard way but experiencing it has helped me to help others.

I remind myself of this verse...Mark 4:19............ And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Living a Spiritual life is a Must to have contentment and peace. God knows our hearts and I'm not a Saint by no means; but a much better person than I once was.

I just wanted to add that WE are responsible for how we feel. It's how we respond to things. We cannot change people, places or things. We have to accept them.

God can help change our thinking by reading His Word and being around His people. It's a process and does not come over night.

LuV all of you and I pray Peace and contentment makes its way into your heart a little each day and in return, learn to be Grateful to our Maker.


Real

Oh wow real Thank you bro for sharing these posts. Your thoughts have been most enlightening i learn much from you

goldie,
I just try and share what the Lord leads me to. I made many, many bad choices in the past in which my pain was self-inflicted. He allowed me to experience this pain and grief knowing one day I would be here at Oasis to share my Hope.
I never want to go back to that pain again and in order not to, I have to stay close to Him and live by Faith no matter what is set before me.

Luv Ya

Real

He allowed me to experience this pain and grief knowing one day I would be here at Oasis to share my Hope

AMEN!

and what a blessing you are to us all

i love u brother realy