Your perspective of life can be simplified to whether you are thankful that thorns have roses or grumble when you find a rose only to be hurt by its thorns. ‍

Similarly, as a Christian, are you grumbling to do God’s work or are you grateful to have Jesus in your life? The answer lies in your heart. Your heart is the driver of your attitude, and your attitude matters to God. ‍

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” - Philippians 2:14-16

‍Paul encourages us to do God’s work without grumbling or arguing because our attitudes display the motivations of our hearts. The work becomes faulty when it’s not done with a heart of joy and love.‍

It’s easy to get lost in the endless streams of negative news and gossip of the world. That is why we must remain steadfast in the Bible to guard our hearts and our minds. ‍

When we stay close to the word of God and change our attitude in the way we do things, just like the Bible says, we will become blameless and pure and we will shine among others. We will let God’s love shine through our lives and service.‍

It always inspires me when our pastors give thanks to servant leaders who wake up at the crack of dawn to help set up the church for morning service. “There’s a special place in heaven for them” as the pastors always say. ‍

This commitment and devotion to helping people who are far from God find a home, a new identity, and a loving family brings heaven closer to earth. This attitude allows you to be thankful that thorns have roses. ‍

Like a rose, life is guaranteed to have thorns. But if you spend your days grumbling about all the thorns you have to deal with, how will you appreciate the simplicity and the beauty of a rose?

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Learn to have a grateful heart and watch the roses blossom in your life

‍I’ve been a part of VOUS for just over a year now. As a new believer, I felt “behind”. However, as I leaned in week after week and kept learning and growing in faith, my heart and attitude changed so much that I even started to dress and talk like the people at VOUS. ‍

My attitude spread to my family and work and completely changed how I approached life. I noticed it most in my workplace because I started to enjoy caring for people and serving them. Coworkers would be confused when I told them I was having “fun”. They couldn’t understand my attitude because they were miserable to be at work.‍

Everything can be accomplished without grumbling when your heart is filled with the love of Jesus. When each moment is an opportunity to serve Him and others. 

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With everything you do, you have to remember: Jesus is the reason. ‍

“...for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

‍Jesus does all things with love and compassion. When you follow Him, you start to see life through his perspective. 

‍By living this way, you also have the power to change the perspective of others. You can choose to say something positive when others are choosing to gossip. You can choose to read scripture or watch a sermon versus reading a tabloid or watching the news. 

‍As a common saying goes, “Misery loves company”, how you choose to feed your mind and heart can have a direct impact on your thoughts and your attitude in life. 

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When we start to find ourselves having negative thoughts and attitudes, it’s an indication that we are wandering far from God. That’s why we need to constantly connect ourselves back to God through scripture and community, and invite the Holy Spirit in and pray for Him to cleanse our hearts.

‍God gave you the freedom to choose how you want to live your life and the strength to fulfill his purpose through the Holy Spirit. Focus on what matters to God and remember, Jesus is the reason for everything. 

‍I am grateful to have Jesus because I have a family to do life with that makes it more beautiful each day. I am thankful that thorns have roses.

Will you be thankful that thorns have roses in your own life?

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