6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Recognizing and Respecting Our Need
Nothing promotes a bad attitude better than ignoring your own needs. God provides for us so that we can provide for others. For example He gives us comfort which enables us to comfort others. In our time of need we can choose to focus on the needs of others, but without acknowledging our own needs then we are saying we don’t have them. This prevents God from blessing us in that area, and from blessing through us.
I have a need of rest today and by recognizing my need I can go to God and thank Him for this day of rest. However, if I don’t recognize that He is giving me margin for rest I won’t take it. Then I can become overwhelmed and burned out because I didn’t take time to take the rest. That definitely doesn’t result in an attitude of gratitude. No I usually become very grumpy when I haven’t had enough rest.
Our attitude can be changed to one of gratitude when we say God I have this need, and I need you to fill it. I am grateful that I can bring my requests before you and know that you will provide my needs. I trust you will provide what is best for me.
How Can We Give
I am also thankful that I can be needy and still have some other areas of my life fulfilled which enables my ability to help others. I can’t give away what I don’t have. By adding up where you are needy yourself you default into thoughts that you cannot effectively minister to someone else. Knowing God doesn’t expect you to give what you don’t have brings peace and contentment. If I allow God to meet my need and it enables me to minister out of what has been given to me. Then attitudes of gratitude can spring up in others lives as I minister to them.
Take A Little Note
What are your needs that you are ignoring? Take note of them and bring those requests to God. Thank Him for providing for you, and He will give you peace. By just acknowledging your needs you nourish an attitude of gratitude. Who would have thought our needs could spark thankfulness in us for God’s provision and in others as we are vessels of God’s provision in their lives.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Another Samaritan Woman 