The Value of Gratitude

Whether you refer to it as gratitude, appreciation or thankfulness, having a positive attitude about advantages that you have received or will receive has great value. Any ordinary opportunity can be viewed as a blessing. All the troubles, bad breaks, daily irritations, and disappointments only come to deter you from acknowledging your blessings. And the obstacles do not mean God is being unfair. Simply, count your gains instead of your losses. To be grateful means having an emotion that has the power to attract what you desire and bring even more happiness into your life. A spirit of gratitude is imperative to a happy life. “You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach

At any rate, it is easy for problems and negative thoughts to consume your every thought. The truth of the matter is... there is someone, somewhere, who would love to be in your shoes. Someone is carrying a load that is much heavier than yours. Be thankful that you have not already received everything you desire. For, there would be nothing left for you to look forward to in life. Turn your negatives into positives. The most effective way to feel emotionally grateful is to focus on the positive things that have already transpired in your life. Those who are also thankful for the setbacks, limitations, and challenges will draw in a rich and balanced life for themselves. If you woke up this morning you should be grateful (God gives you new mercies everyday). If you can walk and talk you should be grateful. If you are reading this you should be grateful (you have been blessed with the grace to obtain knowledge). Gratitude comes from within. It can even mean you will have to give of yourself at times with no expectations of anything in return. There is no need wait for someone to show you an act of kindness for you to be grateful. “Begin each day with a grateful heart,” simply because you can. True gratitude is spiritual.

Most commonly, gratitude is displayed when someone is appreciative of something someone has done that is desirable. Either they have helped in some way or given something that is perceived as valuable to the receiver. Gratitude should not be just appreciation for someone who has done a good deed. God says, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17). Indeed, it is better to give than to receive. Be thankful that you have the ability to help someone who may be burdened deeply. And learn to say “thank you” when someone does a good deed for you. Sadly, many people have a difficult time outwardly expressing gratitude. That is why you have to give freely with an open heart. Learn to be content knowing that you have done the right thing and that you will be blessed favorably in return. “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.^” – James 1:17

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” – Epictetus. Stop complaining about your heavy load. Stop and feel all the joy of the little things in your life. And stop taking advantage of the people God has allowed into your life to bless you. You reap what you sow. God will bless you and allow you to suffer according to how He sees fit to do so. No good deed goes unnoticed, nor does any ungrateful heart. Gratitude does not necessarily have to go deeper than being appreciative for the little things in your life. If something makes you smile, gives you any joy, makes you even slightly happier, or makes your life somewhat easier it is worth being thankful for.

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer

At last, real life is not easy. Things are not going to always go your way. But if you can remember to acknowledge and be thankful for all that is working in your life you will be able to endure the difficulties. Do not take for granted the things that deserve the most gratitude. Those things are given to you by the grace of God. Say “thank you” when you awake in the morning, when you eat a satisfying meal, when you have clothes to wear, when you achieve your desired goal, when you fail, when you go for a walk, when you can enjoy the cooling breeze on a hot summer day (your senses are working), when you go to bed at night, and in everything you do. There is nothing more urgent than giving thanks for the things you are grateful for. As a result, gratitude transforms ordinary days into days of thanksgiving. Find the good and be thankful for it. Gratitude will calm your emotions when you find yourself in a bad mood; and open doors for you to receive more of the things your heart desires. "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 for ever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." - Psalm 100:4-5

Philippians 1:3-4 – "I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy."

Psalm 106:1; 107:1 – "Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures for ever."

In His Grace,

Kai