Unleashing A Life of Gratitude

We live in a time when thankfulness, gratitude, and generosity often seem to be forgotten, giving us, as believers, the opportunity to remind those around us of God’s grace by demonstrating all three qualities. How, then, do we unleash a life of gratitude and move from a single day of Thanksgiving to a life of thanksgiving? Paul tells us in Colossians 2:7, each of us should, “…Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.” When we allow God’s grace to flow in, our gratitude fills up and overflows.

In Isaiah 30:18, the prophet reminds us, “…the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion…” and we need to follow His lead in our own lives toward others. Gratitude is so much more than being polite. 

The prophet Habakkuk (3:17-18) offers this example of what this looks like, ““Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Gratitude begins with a new perspective, one that is not dependent on our circumstances.

 Paul offers another standard of what gratitude is in Ephesians 5:4, saying, ““Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you.  Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.” Gratitude requires us to protect and guard our hearts from those things which don’t glorify God.

 David offers one final illustration, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24). We hear a lot about mindfulness and living in the present today and practicing staying in the moment goes a long way in increasing our level of gratitude.  

 May we each allow God’s grace to flow into us this Thanksgiving season and beyond as we learn to live a lifetime of Thanksgiving with gratitude overflowing in generosity flowing outward to those around us!