Sealed with gratitude

After having lived for more than half a century, I guess I can draw some conclusions from my observations of life and people.

What I have noticed is that grateful people are more blessed than those who have an attitude of entitlement. Grateful people, I've noticed, receive more from the Lord; they are happier, healthier, wealthier, and more successful than those who don't seem to think they should thank anyone for anything. Grateful people have a lot more friends. When they pursue God, they receive blessing upon blessing; breakthrough upon breakthrough.

Every blessing they receive, they keep. What is their secret?

It's an attitude of gratitude -- to God, who blesses them, and to the person whom God uses to bless them. Gratitude acts as a spiritual seal that keeps the blessing intact.

Those with an attitude of entitlement use people for what they can induce out of them. They can be charming, persuasive, entertaining, professing friendship. Once their goal is achieved, they disappear.

But they struggle in life. They may work hard, but their sweat and toil produce weeds. They receive the promise of blessings, but the promises disappear like snowflakes in the sun. Money comes -- and goes just as quickly. They change friends as quickly as they change clothes. They demand "more, more, more" -- for what you give is never enough, and it feels like you're pouring your strength into a black hole. Nothing comes back, and you feel weak, drained and used.

But, God is good. He has made provision in His word. He has said, in Matthew 10:13-14, that if you give your blessing of peace, and the people are unworthy, let your peace return to you. In other words, you can call back your blessing. Every spiritual blessing you've blessed another with in prayer -- including peace, rest, love, joy, provision -- and which is not received with gratitude, you can call back.

Anyone who asks you for prayer is actually asking for your strength. When you give your strength, and you're taken for granted, you may feel empty and used. In fact, soft-hearted and compassionate intercessors are often victimised this way. "You're an intercessor right? so it's your duty to intercede for me! Why should I thank you? You're only doing your job!" Subtly, the person who demands prayer takes the place of God, who is the sole authority to decide whom should be prayed for by you. After all, He knows who the intercessors are, and He is the one who distributes the prayer assignments.

If you have been used by those with an attitude of entitlement, do Matthew 10. Call back your blessings. Do it. And your strength will return to you; your empty soul will be full again, to overflowing. Your joy will return. Your courage, dignity and self-respect will come back. Blessing upon blessing! Even as you've given, you'll receive and more beside!

God is good. He knows that His workers are like guileless sheep, and will be used and abused by others, whether knowingly or unknowingly. He has made provision in His word to ensure we remain full, even to overflowing, continuing to do His work with joy.

God is really, really good.