CURRENT THEME: Let’s live more thankful (What in your life are you thankful for? Did you recently receive a breakthrough? Or an answer to your prayers? Share your thoughts with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Have you recently watched a boxing match? The boxers trot around each other and the moment one of them throws a good punch, the opponent staggers, trying to keep his balance. In our minds, we too have a boxing match going on each day. One boxers’ name is Gratitude, the other, Dissatisfaction.

Dissatisfaction gets the upper hand, when we fall into the trap by comparing ourselves with others and becoming discontent with what we have. We then begin to desire a bigger house, a fancier car, a more romantic husband, a thinner posture, a better wife or a better job. While there is nothing wrong with setting healthy goals for things you would like to acquire in the future, the core question remains: Are you satisfied with what you currently have and where you are at in your life? If not, chances are good that you will neither be happy nor satisfied when you do acquire those things you desire.

Gratitude on the other hand, throws a good punch when you deliberately remind yourself of everything and everyone in your life for which you can be thankful - and you keep on thanking God for that.

In 1 Peter 5:8 we read: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The enemy does it by planting thoughts in our minds to compare ourselves with other – knowing that if we fall short, we might feel bad about ourselves. In Romans 12:2 we read: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

One of the best ways for Gratitude to fight back when Dissatisfaction throws a punch is to be aware of what goes on in your mind. With the realization that you are comparing yourself with others, you can immediately stop it, by purposefully being thankful. For example, your friend tells you about a romantic outing her husband took her on. You also like outings, but your husband is not romantic. Instead of blaming him, you can remind yourself that at least he is loyal to you and that he helps you with the children. Or you might hate your work. Instead of complaining, remind yourself that many unemployed people would give anything for a job – even yours!

Who is currently the leader in your match – Gratitude or Dissatisfaction? Let us recognize the struggle and fight it the right way, so that we can ensure that Gratitude, under a loud applause and with hands in the air, will be announced the winner! God bless.

Father God, thank you for every good gift I receive from You daily. Specifically, I want to thank you today for (name what you are grateful for). Help me to protect my thoughts from becoming discontented by comparing myself to others. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• What are you thankful for? Please share your thoughts with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Here is what three readers are grateful for:

• Talana Westvig: “In the last three years the Lord saved my boy’s soul. He also brought my husband safely home and took us from the depths of bankruptcy and shame to a place of victory. We are currently in the process of buying our own home. We both have great jobs and our family is together again. I praise and thank God for his deep mercy and blessings.”
• Katrien Van der Merwe: “I am grateful that God uses me as an instrument in sharing the gospel here on the island of Koh Phangang in Thailand. I am already here from February 2013 and still remain thankful for every blessing I receive from Him.”
• Henk du Plessis: “Thank you God for the wonderful rain that washed away the sad and heavy drought. I pray for farms that still need rain in Jesus Name. Also thank you God for my health, my family, my marriage, my daughter and every breath I can take. Thank you that I belong to You!”