Chords of Thanksgiving

From: More Heart to Heart: Godly Wisdom Woman To Woman

• 2 min. read • grade level: 5

“The Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. The Lord God ... made ... a woman, and brought her unto the man.” Genesis 2:18,22¹⁸And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18)
²²And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (Genesis 2:22)

“Women adorn themselves ... with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10

“I sat down under [my beloved’s] shadow with great delight. ... How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!” Song of Solomon 2:3; 7:6³As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. (Song of Solomon 2:3)
⁶How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights! (Song of Solomon 7:6)

“When the people complained, it displeased the Lord.” Numbers 11:1¹And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. (Numbers 11:1)

“That there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” Psalm. 144:14-15

“Women ... be ... good.” Titus 2:4-5⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:4‑5)

Solomon says, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing” (Prov. 18:22²²Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord. (Proverbs 18:22)). Are we a good thing? A good wife is a joy to be around. She smiles when she sees her husband, and he knows she is glad to see him walk into the room. She was created to be his companion, and she makes sure she is a delightful companion. She doesn’t nag, and she never runs out of things to be thankful for. She may weep — the Bible certainly leaves room for that — but she doesn’t complain. The children of Israel were repeatedly chastened for complaining, and God doesn’t like it any better now than He did then. Life is a song, and if we keep hitting notes of frustration, bitterness, and hurt feelings, our melody will sound lousy. If we diligently practice the chords of thanksgiving, our song will be much more harmonious. Since practice makes perfect, both complaining and thankfulness can become habit. It is clear which practice leads to the sweeter song. It is great when we can say with Paul, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil. 4:11¹¹Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11)).

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