The very quality of your life whether you love it or hate it is based upon how thankful you are toward God. It is ones attitude that determines whether life unfolds into a place of blessedness or wretchedness. Indeed looking at the same rose bush some people complain that the roses have thorns while others rejoice that some thorns come with roses. It all depends on your perspective. This is the only life you will have before you enter eternity. If you want to find joy you must first find thankfulness. Indeed the one who is thankful for even a little enjoys much. But the unappreciative soul is always miserable always complaining. He lives outside the shelter of the Most High God.Perhaps the worst enemy we have is not the devil but our own tongue. James tells us The tongue is set among our members as that which . . . sets on fire the course of our life James 36. He goes on to say this fire is ignited by hell. Consider with our own words we can enter the spirit of heaven or the agonies of hell It is hell with its punishments torments and misery that controls the life of the grumbler and complainer Paul expands this thought in 1 Corinthians 1010 where he reminds us of the Jews who grumbled . . . and were destroyed by the destroyer. The fact is every time we open up to grumbling and complaining the quality of our life is reduced proportionally -- a destroyer is bringing our life to ruinPeople often ask me What is the ruling demon over our church or city They expect me to answer with the ancient Aramaic or Phoenician name of a fallen angel. What I usually tell them is a lot more practical one of the most pervasive evil influences over our nation is ingratitudeDo not minimize the strength and cunning of this enemy Paul said that the Jews who grumbled and complained during their difficult circumstances were destroyed by the destroyer. Who was this destroyer If you insist on discerning an ancient world ruler one of the most powerful spirits mentioned in the Bible is Abaddon whose Greek name is Apollyon. It means destroyer Rev. 911. Paul said the Jews were destroyed by this spirit. In other words when we are complaining or unthankful we open the door to the destroyer Abaddon the demon king over the abyss of hell In the Presence of GodMultitudes in our nation have become specialists in the science of misery. They are experts -- moral accountants who can in a moment tally all the wrongs society has ever done to them or their group. I have never talked with one of these people who was happy blessed or content about anything. They expect an imperfect world to treat them perfectly.Truly there are people in this wounded country of ours who need special attention. However most of us simply need to repent of ingratitude for it is ingratitude itself that is keeping wounds alive We simply need to forgive the wrongs of the past and become thankful for what we have in the present.The moment we become grateful we actually begin to ascend spiritually into the presence of God. The psalmist wroteServe the Lord with gladness come before Him with joyful singing. . . . Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him bless His name. For the Lord is good His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations Psalm 1002 4-5.It does not matter what your circumstances are the instant you begin to thank God even though your situation has not changed you begin to change. The key that unlocks the gates of heaven is a thankful heart. Entrance into the courts of God comes as you simply begin to praise the Lord.