Live a Life of Gratitude!

I want to share a powerful truth about gratitude and what it biblically means to give thanks to God. So, let’s take a look at scripture and see what the Word of God reveals to us about gratitude.

Col. 3:17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Let’s look at the words “giving thanks”. The definition of what grateful comes from two words. Now let’s just look at the first part of the word grateful – “giving” refers to a structure or frame with bars that run parallel. This is a reference to being in agreement with, or going the same direction.

Now look back to Colossians 3:17 and notice it says that whatever we say, or do it should all be done giving thanks to God. When you are giving thanks to God you are doing or saying things in the name of the Lord Jesus, who is the Word of God. You are aligning yourself (your words and actions) with God. You are going in the same direction as He says to go. Simply put, giving thanks to God means that whatever we say, or do it is in agreement with, and going the same way as God. One who lives a life of gratitude is living a life filled with words that speak what God speaks, and actions that follow God’s Word as well.

I want to share with you a practice that I have begun.  At the end of the day I sit quietly, with no distractions, and think about what I’m grateful for and the people I am grateful for in my life. I take an index card and write out three things in which I am grateful for that day.  This new approach has really changed how I view my life, and, at the end of the day, how I live it.

Gratitude can take any negative and turn it into a positive.  Finding a way to be thankful becomes a blessings to us.  Gratitude helps to remind us what is truly important.  Complaining about things gets us nowhere. 

How to Live a Life of Gratitude

Think about it, simple acts of gratitude cost nothing, but the effects of gratitude make a huge difference.

God has given each of us so much, if we only choose to take the time to recognize it.

An ungrateful person will never really see the beauty, nor use or understand the gifts God is giving and they will often complain about life.  It’s only when we keep our eyes on God and all that He has given to us, that we will make the best use of His gifts.

Let gratitude extend to all things in life, even to the less pleasant and difficult things, which God allows us to experience. He has plans for our lives, and He will guide us with His wisdom and love. Nothing is by accident. And everything we receive in life is meant to help us to grow closer to God.

Let’s began to be thankful for all the things that God has blessed us with. 

Gratitude keeps our hearts humble, it helps us to see everything as a gift from God and helps us to focus our lives on others – versus always thinking of ourselves.

Always keep gratitude in your heart – never let it fade away. It will change everything.

Blessings and Peace is my prayer for you,

Pastor Monique French