If we can take a few moments to reflect on the content of our prayers, we will be amazed that most of our prayers are filled with requests, pleas and petitions asking God to give us things and take care of people or difficult situations. We often find ourselves trapped in the web of pressing needs and urgent concerns that make us slaves to immediate demands. It is sad that we seldom take time to pause, look back, reflect and thank God for his provision and protection in our daily lives. In a world where most people are only looking into the future as they live to fulfill their dreams, gratitude becomes a forgotten virtue, because it is impossible to develop gratitude without pausing and looking back into our own life journey.
Ancient philosopher Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.” Without gratitude we will all be a bundle of whiners and complainers who only focus on what we do not have rather than enjoying what we have in life. Without this sense of gratitude it is impossible to nurture or develop any other virtues because we see ourselves as victims rather than as people who are blessed. The 20th century theologian Deitreich Bonhoeffer said that it is only through gratitude that life becomes rich. It is very true that an ungrateful person can never be rich, and a grateful person will never be poor.
It is only through gratitude that life becomes rich. It is very true that an ungrateful person can never be rich, and a grateful person will never be poor. – Deitreich Bonhoeffer
Life is often difficult and all of us have problems that tend to overwhelm us. But do not believe the lie that you have the worst problems anyone ever has or can have; in fact if you know anyone deeply you will soon discover that no matter how they look outside most people have problems and deep scars that torment them very often. I personally believe all of us have our own share of problems and blessings and the only way we can keep a proper perspective of life is by intentionally choosing to look both sides instead of being stuck with our problems. When we are too close to our problems they tend to overwhelm us and make us despair, therefore it is necessary for each of us to pause and remember the blessings of our life that give us hope.
Without gratitude we will all be a bundle of whiners and complainers who only focus on what we do not have rather than enjoying what we have in life.
Christians are not immune to pain or problem, the Bible does not ask us to stuff our emotions and pretend we are fine, instead the Bible asks us to remember the hope to which we are called and live a life of gratitude in the midst of hardship. Jonathan Edwards, the 17-century revivalist and theologian, described two types of gratitude in his classic work, “A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections.” Natural gratitude is thanks expressed to God for the benefits a person has received, whereas gracious gratitude has its source in the knowledge of the goodness of God independent of favors received.” Our gratitude is not only a response to what we have received from God, but it is a result of our deep conviction of God’s goodness and His amazing grace that sustains our life.
It is this intentional choice to count our blessings in the midst of sufferings and hardship that make a Christian different from everybody else in this world. While gratitude is a virtue, ingratitude is a sin (2 Tim 3:2 puts ingratitude with other sins like proud, disobedient and unholy). If you notice the tenth commandment it reads “Thou shalt not covet” (Ex. 20:17a), the flip side of this “do not” commandment is the “do” side that expects us to be grateful. The reason we covet is because we focus on what we don’t have or secretly believe we are entitled to having what this other person has. In Colossians 3:15 to 17 Paul presents the strong connection between the peace of Christ ruling in our lives and being thankful (Gratitude).
Dr. Michael Avery once said: “Very few things honor and glorify God more than the sweet fragrance of a thankful soul. It expels gloom and ushers in sweet peace and blessed hope.” William A Ward says “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it”. Let’s make sure we express our gratitude both to God and to our loved ones for the difference they made in our lives and sing along with Johnson Oatman: 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.
“Very few things honor and glorify God more than the sweet fragrance of a thankful soul. It expels gloom and ushers in sweet peace and blessed hope.” – Dr. Michael Avery
– – Author: Rev. Francis Burgula – –
