Gratitude

We find ourselves at the latter end of another calendar year. A year, that for many of us, was filled with unpredictable events, challenges and never seemed to slow down. As we enter the last two months of the year, many of us will pause for a few minutes to spend time with family and friends during the holidays. It is around this time that I personally begin to reflect on the good, bad, and ugly over the last year. For many, reflection is the first step in creating a strategy for the next year that will motivate and promote success. Part of our strategy should always include the foundational behaviors that we should focus on using all year long and not just periodically.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Some of the most influential people we read about in the Bible understood that the key to keeping motivated, happy, and successful is to constantly stay in communication with our Lord and Savior and to give thanks in all circumstances. In fact, the passage goes on to say this is God’s will or plan for those who have a relationship with Him. Understanding the application of thankfulness is key to living out each of our missions while keeping ourselves healthy along the way.

We have all experienced the feeling of thankfulness from time to time. But there is a difference between being thankful and operating with gratitude. Thankfulness is often a temporary feeling following a kind word or gesture. Gratitude, however, is actionable and can serve as a foundational reminder that guides our decisions and behavior. Henri Frederic Amiel once said, “Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts. “Like many things in life, our feelings come and go. The temporary feeling of thankfulness can easily fade and be forgotten. The challenge will always be moving from a temporary feeling to a mindset of gratitude rooted in the blessings that each of us experience every day. This mindset will be a motivating catalyst and reminder of the people and events that have contributed to our success in life.

John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”  I would offer that you can’t live a life of gratitude without reminding yourself of the blessings around you daily. We are living in a time when the negative influences around us can overwhelm our thoughts and make it very easy for us to forget the blessings in our lives and the people that have helped us along the way. While there are many ways to be intentional about building a mindset of gratitude, I have found that starting my prayers off thanking God for the specific blessings in my life helps keep me focused. Each day, I try not to just repeat the same blessings, but truly reflect on things that have been given to and done for me. This practice forces a much broader and positive perspective even when things are a mess.

Challenge: Be intentional about reflecting daily on the blessings in your life despite what is happening around you. Move from the temporary feeling of thankfulness to a life of gratitude by focusing on being thankful in all circumstances and growing your relationship with God.