Gratitude

I read an article about gratitude the other day. It said that gratitude is necessary for both our mental and spiritual well-being; It associated gratitude with greater happiness and increased positive emotions about oneself and others. Additionally, it stated that an attitude of gratitude can be life-changing, as it can change how you view experiences, people, and relationships with God. 

Not long after reading the article, I started to think about my life. In particular, how well I’ve been showing my appreciation to God and the people in my life. With this in mind, I began to ask myself some questions like, where am I along the gratitude meter? What am I thankful for? How often do I express gratitude for where I am and what I have? How do I express gratitude to God and the people around me?

What is Gratitude?

Gratitude is being thankful. It is being consistently ready to acknowledge and show appreciation to God, people, for circumstance, and for things that we are blessed with. It is being aware of what is happening in one’s life and expressing thanks/appreciation for them. 

There are a lot of wonderful things that is happening in our lives every day to be thankful for, and even when things aren’t going so well, the Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. Be thankful in every single circumstance.

Developing an attitude of gratitude, therefore, requires self-awareness and viewing things from God’s perspective. Gratitude helps us to take the focus off of ourselves which, in turn, helps us to build stronger relationships with God as well as with others.   

Gratitude In The Bible

Luke 17:11-19,  And it came to pass, as Jesus went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. This scripture gives a picture of how grateful we are sometimes.

We see where ten persons ask Jesus for help, and He granted their request. He spoke over their lives and through their obedience, they were healed. But after their request was granted, only one of the men returned and thanked the Lord for healing him. We see where the man that returned to give thanks got an additional blessing, Jesus made him completely whole. He was healed physically when he obeyed, but when he returned and gave thanks, Jesus restored things that he had lost beyond the physical, things that were more than skin deep. Gratitude is powerful. 

Side note, Is this scripture passage saying that about 90% of us are not as grateful as we should be? -pardon me for digressing, that question is for another day. 

Sometimes we take God’s love and kindness for granted, forgetting to be thankful to the one who is sustaining us. Failing to appreciate all that we have, see, feel, and are gifted with. Not remembering to give thanks for his loves, grace, and mercies, for where we are and the people He blesses us with. I have been guilty of this sometimes. There are many times that I fail to acknowledge Him for His provision, protection, and promise. An not showing my appreciation to others. I must confess that God has been extremely good to me, and I do not want to be an ungrateful, unappreciative child.

While reflecting on where God has brought me from, it dawned on me how wonderfully blessed I am.  These are some of the reason I came up with to give thanks:

Reasons To Give Thanks to the Lord 

1. Because He see us

• Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,

2. Because He loves us 

• Lamentation 3:22-23 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

3. Because He is Faithfulness 

• Psalm 100: 4-5   Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

4. Because of His Grace 

• Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

5. Because of His Mercies 

• Lamentation 3:22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

6. Because of His Kindness

• Psalm 117:2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!

7. Because He is working things out for our good 

• Romans 8:28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

8. Because He answers our prayers 

• Psalm 91:15 He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.

9. Because He sustains us

• Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

10. Because of His provision 

• Phillipians 4:19 And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Who To Show Our Appreciated 

• By Acknowledging God in every circumstance we find ourselves in.
• By praying daily.
• By praising God.
• By trusting God / Doing what God says.
• By setting aside time, out of each day, to connect with God.
• By helping /serving others.
• By writing down the things that we are grateful for everyday/Keep a gratitude journal.

We do not have forever here.  We must therefore spend time thanking God for all that He does for us.  Let us not be selfish by withholding our appreciation. Instead,  let’s live each moment purposefully, thanking God for His presence and purpose in our lives. Additionally, showing other how thankful we are for what they do for us which will not only lift their spirits but ours as well. 

Sometimes it is so easy to forget to say thank you.  But it’s important to remember that a heart of gratitude is not only beneficial to us, but it blesses God and others. Gratitude is powerful, so let us use it every day and be a blessing to others.

Be blessed.

See you along the God-directed path.