Bible Verses on Gratitude, Worry and Living the Present

by Reuben Chow

Here are a few meaningful verses from the Bible which I got off a poster.

Whether or not you are a Christian does not affect your ability to embrace the essence behind these lessons. Indeed, these pieces of advice, if taken on board, can help make life more peaceful, more meaningful, more joyful, and even more enjoyable.

“Take one day at a time.” – Matthew 6:34

Many of us have the tendency to be subsumed in worries and anxieties about the future. We carry out extensive planning and work very hard for a better tomorrow. Yet, often, the future does not turn out the way we envisaged. In fact, there is even no guarantee at all that tomorrow may come for us.

A big part of living a meaningful, fulfilling, peaceful and happy life is learning to live in the present. After all, the current moment is, in reality, all that we have – the past is gone and cannot be changed or revisited, and the future is a mystery that is not here yet and may never arrive.

“Under no circumstances should you worry.” – Philippians 4:6

This is linked to the points made above. What do people usually worry about? The future. Tomorrow. Next month. Whether there’ll be enough money. About the big meeting next week. How will the children turn out? Will I fall ill? What if I lose my job? Or our home?

Worries usually focus on things and issues which have not happened yet.

And, apparently, most of them never actually take place.

So we spend, and waste, lots of time and energy worrying over. . . nothing much.

To make things worse, we end up focusing a lot of energy and attention on negative stuff, and all that mental, emotional and physical energy could be better spent if we channeled them toward more positive and productive purposes.

For example, instead of worrying about your family finances, you could focus your energies on improving your business. Or, instead of worrying about your health, you could devote some time to exercise, or keep your mind productively busy by reading up on how to be healthy.

“Start every day with prayer and thanksgiving.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

A person’s degree of gratitude correlates strongly, in my view, with his or her levels of happiness and life success. And there is social research to validate this.

Giving thanks channels your mind and energy toward the good things in life, and the things which you do have. On the other hand, someone who frequently complains and is always ungrateful is basically focusing on bad stuff and things which he wants but does not have. Which do you think would make for a happier, more contented and more peaceful person?

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