It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given. One or the other becomes a habit of life.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of gratitude over focusing on what we lack.
Elisabeth Elliot's quote highlights a crucial choice in our mindset: to cultivate gratitude for the blessings we have rather than dwelling on unfulfilled desires. By choosing thankfulness, we can establish a positive and fulfilling habit that shapes our overall perspective on life, ultimately leading to greater happiness and contentment.
In practice
In a speech about overcoming adversity, one could use this quote to inspire the audience to focus on gratitude.
We are not asked to SEE," said Amy. "Why need we when we KNOW?" We know--not the answer to the inevitable Why, but the incontestable fact that it is for the best. "It is an irreparable loss, but is it faith at all if it is 'hard to trust' when things are entirely bewildering?
Prayer lays hold of God's plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit's prayer.
What sort of world might it have been if Eve had refused the servants offer and had said to him instead, βlet me not be like God. Let me be what I was made to be - let me be a woman'?
Worship is not an experience. Worship is an act, and this takes discipline. We are to worship ''in spirit and in truth.'' Never mind about the feelings. We are to worship in spite of them.
Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.
If your goal is purity of heart, be prepared to be thought very odd.
I acknowledge my feeling and gratitude for life by praising the world and whoever made all these things.
Don't let the sun go down without saying thank you to someone, and without admitting to yourself that absolutely no one gets this far alone.
The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you?'
Thank you, dear God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough. Thank you for the rain. And for the chance to wake up in three hours and go fishing: I thank you for that now, because I won't feel so thankful then.
Sweet is the breath of vernal shower,/ The bee's collected treasure sweet,/ Sweet music's melting fall, but sweeter yet/ The still small voice of gratitude.
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