"Right Track/Wrong Track"

A recent poll found that a record number of Americans (89%) think that our country is on the wrong track. Considering the bad economic news and the state of world affairs, this is no surprise. What is surprising is that 7% of those polled think that our country is on the right track! Who are these people? How can they hold such a position? Are they just blind optimists who are completely out of touch with reality? I read an article (whose author I can’t recall) who remarked that these may be people who recognize that things could be a whole lot worse. Or to put it another way, maybe these are people who still know how to be thankful and count their blessings.

 There is a lesson here for all of us as we approach the Thanksgiving season. I believe God calls us to engage reality with grateful spirits.

 Sometimes we are tempted to flee reality and escape into denial. Such denial may make us feel better for a time, but refusing to face or deal with our problems is a prescription for disaster. 

 Sometimes we are so in touch with our problems that they are the only things we can see. All we do is complain and gripe, and there is not an ounce of gratitude in us.

 It is important for us to face our difficulties head on. During these times of trial, it is also important for us to count our blessings, and “name them one by one.” When we do so it puts us in touch with our resources, with those things that we have going for us, those things we will need to overcome our difficulties.

 Scripture tells, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” It is most important to do so when things are on the wrong track.