The goat is filthy

Psalm 34:1 (ESV)

I will bless the Lord at all times;

    His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

In Budapest, a man goes to the rabbi and complains, "Life is unbearable. There are nine of us living in one room. What can I do?"

The rabbi answers, "Take your goat into the room with you." The man in incredulous, but the rabbi insists. "Do as I say and come back in a week."

A week later the man comes back looking more distraught than before. "We cannot stand it," he tells the rabbi. "The goat is filthy."

The rabbi then tells him, "Go home and let the goat out. And come back in a week."

A radiant man returns to the rabbi a week later, exclaiming, "Life is beautiful. We enjoy every minute of it now that there's no goat -- only the nine of us."

This is a funny story but how many of us know how to be truly thankful in the face of trial? Many powerhouses of the faith who preceded us realized the importance of mastering thankfulness. How much more should we who have so much more than they!

We have an opportunity each day to practice being thankful! If we’re struggling today, let’s practice praising God in thankfulness for all the good things He's done! He deserves all of our praise regardless of our circumstance!

Dear Lord, help us be thankful no matter the situation we find ourselves. Thank You for the strength that You give us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.