Consider this … Is it happy people who become grateful, or grateful people who become happy? While happiness is certainly not the ultimate goal or overall objective of one’s Christian life, it does seem to be a prominent issue / desire in the life of many believers.
One of the most important aspects of a growing / maturing man or woman of God, is to learn the significance of gratitude and then value it enough to fully embrace it!
Then one may question … For what should I be grateful? For what should I express gratitude? In our society, we tend to eagerly criticize situations we find ourselves in, negative circumstances that might impact our lives, other people, and perhaps even ourselves! This perspective of life works to deconstruct gratitude and erect barriers that prevent one from gratefulness as an everyday attribute for life and godliness.
Once one realizes that good comes to believers through gracious and merciful acts from sources outside of ourselves, then genuine gratitude can be conceived and birthed.
1 Timothy 4:4-5 – For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
2 Corinthians 4:15 – For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks (gratitude) to abound to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17 – Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks (the result of being grateful) through Him (Christ Jesus, your Messiah) to God the Father.
Colossians 2:6-7 – Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
The concept of “overflowing with gratitude” is our Lord’s intention for all His people. Believers are created, in Christ, to be people of gratitude, a thankful people, continually celebrating His boundless purposes and incredible handiwork!
Now, if one can find no other reason for a spirit of personal, everyday gratitude, then dwell on this good that comes totally from a source outside of one’s self!
Hebrews 12:28-29 – Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.
Is your gratitude showing? If not, why not?
Evangelist Billy Graham stated,
“Everything we have comes from (God’s) hands; even if we worked for it or earned it, He still gave us the ability and the opportunity to do it.”
Don’t just think about,
His & Yours, Pastor Frank
