Don't Be A Goldfish Believer
Sometimes I run into believers who tend to gripe and complain a lot about what they do not have. Their supposed deficiencies range from personal popularity, to economic worries, to an inability to acquire the current item that will bring happiness. Bombarded by the world of advertisement, the world of celebrity and the whispers of the evil one, it is easy to focus on what others have that we think we would want, and if we are not able to acquire it – whatever it is – we grumble, complain and feel depressed. Instead of being thankful for their blessings, they are anxious about the next thing in their life that is a “must have or must achieve.”
To help us from becoming a group of people who are led around by our grumbling and supposed lack, a good exercise is to give thanks to God for what He has done for us in our lives. But too often we take on one of the characteristics of a goldfish.
Research scientist in the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth in southwest England has found that goldfish have a memory span of three months. A goldfish, swimming in its habitat, is a fairly smart fish (yes, I know, it is because they swim in schools). They can distinguish between different shapes, colors and sounds. Fish were trained to push a lever to earn a food reward; when the lever was fixed to work only for an hour a day, the fish soon learned to activate it at the correct time. They were even taught to go through mazes or to certain locations in order to receive food. But the goldfish has a short memory. A goldfish can only remember for three months.
Sometimes I know that we as Christians have short memories. We forget all the ways God has touched us and provided us with all that we need for life and godliness.
King David encouraged the people of his day with a song with these words:
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5
In order to keep from having goldfish memory syndrome, we need to take time to rehearse in our minds and with others what the Lord has done.
In the last part of the 1800 a believer, Johnson Oatman wrote a song encouraging us to do the same thing:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done.
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” -- Cicero
To help us from becoming a group of people who are led around by our grumbling and supposed lack, a good exercise is to give thanks to God for what He has done for us in our lives. But too often we take on one of the characteristics of a goldfish.
Research scientist in the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth in southwest England has found that goldfish have a memory span of three months. A goldfish, swimming in its habitat, is a fairly smart fish (yes, I know, it is because they swim in schools). They can distinguish between different shapes, colors and sounds. Fish were trained to push a lever to earn a food reward; when the lever was fixed to work only for an hour a day, the fish soon learned to activate it at the correct time. They were even taught to go through mazes or to certain locations in order to receive food. But the goldfish has a short memory. A goldfish can only remember for three months.
Sometimes I know that we as Christians have short memories. We forget all the ways God has touched us and provided us with all that we need for life and godliness.
King David encouraged the people of his day with a song with these words:
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5
In order to keep from having goldfish memory syndrome, we need to take time to rehearse in our minds and with others what the Lord has done.
In the last part of the 1800 a believer, Johnson Oatman wrote a song encouraging us to do the same thing:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done.
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” -- Cicero