What is Gratitude?
Well, we can define it as a genuine giving of thanks. I personally think it is something that needs to be spoken about a lot more!
“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:29
Learning to be thankful on a daily basis is such a powerful thing to do. In fact, it lifts our spirit and helps to get rid of, or at least lessen, any negative emotions that we might be holding. When we are grateful for what we have, we tend to complain less and spend less time comparing ourselves with others, which is always going to be beneficial to our well being!
A really valuable reason to be grateful is that we were created to praise God. We were never intended to be fully self-sufficient in this life and a grateful heart reminds us that God is our ultimate Provider, and that everything we have ultimately comes from Him.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5
There are loads of times that we don’t feel grateful, and as though there is nothing in our lives to be grateful for! Maybe you’re currently in exam season, feeling stressed and exhausted. But even in these situations we can choose to praise God by recognising the small positive things that happened during the day, like being in good health and having the freedom to study and this can help you be so much calmer. Clinical studies have actually shown that practising gratitude lowers blood pressure, strengthens the immune system and increases our happiness!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
Recently, I found myself in a tough situation at work. To cut a long story short, I was no longer enjoying my job and found my daily tasks rather dull. I wasn’t challenged mentally and that’s when frustration crept in. Buried in these negative thoughts and emotions, God clearly reminded me that I needed to be grateful for what I have. I had a job and this itself was a blessing from Him.
He also reminded me that I should praise Him regardless of the situation and that He’s in charge and is well able to turn things around in due time. Once I decided to calm down and praise Him sincerely, God opened the door for me to be interviewed elsewhere and I got the job! God is good!
Will you decide today to have a grateful heart and praise God? He’s a miracle-working God, a Father that knows our needs and “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” Ephesians 3:20
