SYMPTOMS OF INGRATITUDE

2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

How do I know if I am an ungrateful and ingratitude person?

• If you think you deserve better that you are currently getting. If you despise what you have because you think what you currently have is not enough. That you deserves better than who you have as a spouse. If you become unhappy, sad and miserable just because you feel you deserve a better job or a better spouse or a better pay check than you are currently having. If you lack peace and saddened just because you feel you are not getting the best out of life. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

• If you are covetous, obsessed with gains and you don’t appreciate little things of life. 1Timothy 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

• If you always see yourself better than others. If you always want people to serve you, but you don’t like serving others. It is a sign of ingratitude to unnecessarily lord yourself over others just because you are better placed than others. 1Corinthians 4:7 (BBE) For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you? but if it has been given to you, what cause have you for pride, as if it had not been given to you?

• If you are obsessed with acquisition of items and properties and hate giving. You are like a lake, many things keep flowing into you and nothing is going out. There is no point holding on to what you don’t need when there are neighbours who will put such thing to better use. Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

• If you think those that have not are lazy and your hard work has brought you success. I sure agree with you that hard work pays but hard work without divine assistance is torment. Every successful person have had one or more assistance that gave them a leverage in life. 1 Corinthians 4:7 (BBE) For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you?

• If you think God has not created you beautiful or handsome enough. If you are not satisfy with your God given sexual orientation and you wish you are someone else.

• If you envy others to the point of wishing for their downfall. Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Or as believer who have found Christ, you still lust after and wish you can still enjoy the sinful pleasure in the life of sin. Pro 23:17-18 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. (18) For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

• If you are disappointed because of your unreasonable expectations from people around you, your spouse, parents, friends or neighbours or even from your children. It is unreasonable and unwise to put undue pressure on your spouse to keep buying things far beyond his/her earnings.

• If you think God has done nothing for you or that he doesn’t care enough about you. It is the beginning of depression.

• If you base serving God or withdrawal of service on a particular unanswered prayer. Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• If you don’t appreciate people God has graciously placed around you. Or you think your money or influence can buy you anything you need or buy people to do what you want. If you cannot appreciate man you cannot likewise appreciate God.

• If you think others are privileged to have you around them but you don’t see yourselves in like manner when people do things to make life better for you or that God has put them around you to support you.

• If you think your support staff are less human than you or you allow your children to treat them like second class humans.

• If you find it hard to say thank you for services and benefits done for you by others, even if they are paid to do it.

• If you think you can use money, beauty, your positional attainment, opportunities or any other physical or spiritual endowment to make your spouse or any other persons do your bidding against their wish and right.

• If you have a grudge against God or against your parents or against your spouse, believing any of these are the reasons for your woes.

Please pray this prayer with me:

Father, help me to be thankful, to appreciate you for the blessings you have blessed me with, as I look forward to greater blessings and better walk with you in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!

May your Light shine for others to see, and may you find grace to stay connected to Jesus Christ, and May the light of God’s Presence be your light now and always in Jesus Name. Amen!

Olumofin Kehinde Benjamin writes for Praying Parents Prayer Group Christian Ministry (3pG).