Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
Why should we cultivate an attitude of gratitude? There are many reasons why we should express an attitude of gratitude but most important is that we are called by God to offer praise and thanksgiving for all He has done for us. God has provided us a beautiful gift, the gift of life, and we are to express our thankfulness for His love and grace.
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all peoples.” 1 Chronicles 16:23-24 AMP
I love reading the books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles. We learn that David understood the significance of offering gratitude and thankfulness to God. In Chronicles, it is shared that the people needed to reconnect their identity as the people of God, and David desired to restore the people to their God through praise and thanksgiving. The Jesus Bible states that “David longed for the people to give God the glory he rightly deserves.”
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory and honor due His name; Bring an offering [of thanksgiving] and come before Him; Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” 1 Chronicles 16:29 AMP
It is my desire that as we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday, Advent, and Christmas, we too will create an attitude of gratitude and give God the glory He rightly deserves.
We are Called by God
We are called to glorify God for the grace He has shown us. For me, knowing I am loved and accepted unconditionally by God the Father naturally brings forth the desire to praise Him for all that He has done for me and continues to do for my family and me.
I recall many times in my journey where I called out to God, and He brought me through. So, why would I want to hold back my appreciation or refrain from praising God? He showed up for me and carried me and provided for me when I needed strength, provision, and love. I want God to know how incredibly grateful I am and how much I truly appreciate His love for me.
If you have children, take a moment and think about the love and praise you give to them daily. Your heart is full, and you want to make sure your children know just how much love you have for them, so you offer them love and praise through your words and actions. Well, my friend, this is precisely why and how we should be expressing our thankfulness to God. Our hearts are full, and we want God to know just how much we love and adore Him.
“He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way rightly [who follows the way that I show him], I shall show the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23 AMP
How many times a day do you stop and thank God for His love, provision, and favor? If you are not mindful of offering praise and worship to God throughout your day, what can you do today to begin praising Him daily? What’s getting in the way of showing gratitude to Him?
The More You Give, the More You Receive
You do know that the more gratitude you give, the more gratitude you receive.
Last week, we talked about the woman who gave all she had, her two small coins, to the offering. And Jesus praised her for her generosity because she shared from a heart of thankfulness. Grateful people recognize the blessings in their life, and they acknowledge their appreciation through praise and giving back.
You’re familiar with the phrase, paying it forward? Recently I had the honor of speaking with a woman who spends her life paying it forward. Her story so inspired me. She is a true giver. She gives with a joyful heart and uses her gifts and talents to help others. I don’t think this amazing woman of God realizes just how much she inspired me. Her kindness and gratitude motivated me to want to do more, to give more. You see, when we are inspired, we are motivated, and we are motivated, we are called to action.
The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched, And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown]. Proverbs 11:25 AMP
My friend is a generous person, and through her gratitude, she prospers. She is a blessing to others. She reaps the generosity she has sown.
Is there an area in your life where you can pay it forward and bless someone using your spiritual gifts and talents? If you are paying it forward, take a moment to reflect on the generosity you have received by your acts of giving from a heart of gratitude.
My Prayer for You
It is my prayer these words encourage you to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and thanks this holiday season. I hope to inspire you to express thanks to God daily and not just during those special times of the year. I am calling YOU to embrace your circumstances and your current position and know that God is working in this season, and YOU ARE NEVER ALONE. However, your attitude will make all the difference in your journey. You can choose to be grateful, or you can choose to be unappreciative. The choice is yours to make, and your decision will significantly impact your life. So, will you choose to be thankful or thankless?
This season is challenging. We’ve talked about the struggles, prayed through the challenges, and sought God’s protection from the hardships, and whatever our prayers may bring, we must wait expectantly and with gladness because we know through Him all things are possible. And this is hope.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.” Romans 15:13 AMP
Take a moment and reflect upon everything you are thankful for and offer up your gratitude to God. And when your mind starts to wander, and those feelings of ungratefulness begin to fill your thoughts, remind yourself of all the beautiful blessings you have received over the years. Shout out to God in thanks and praise and let Him know that His beautiful daughter is so incredibly grateful for the life she is living.
Let God know you are thankful for your faith, your health, your home, your family, your community, whatever it is for you that you are grateful for, bring it to Him in praise and know that His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting. And that, my sweet friend, is why we should cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
A Psalm of Thanksgiving
100 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness and delight;
Come before His presence with joyful singing.
Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, [a]not we ourselves [and we are His].
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting,
His faithfulness [endures] to all generations.”
Keep on shining!
