Attitude of Gratitude

This week Apple launched the newest version of the iPhone. It has all these features that look really cool, but it does a lot of the things my current iPhone does. I always find it a little humorous whenever Apple launches the newest version of the iPhone because suddenly everyone's current phones are no longer good enough. The phone that was working just fine last week no longer seems to serve people because their focus has already shifted to the next best thing.

Like the iPhone, how many of us are missing our current blessings because our focus has shifted to the next best thing? So many of us are living in our answered prayers, but we can't see it because we are too focused on the next rather than the now. All of life seems to be a focus on what comes next, going to the next level, and the hustle and grind. Many Christians are all too focused on the things they don't have, the unanswered prayers, the things they desire, or the things they can't do, that they fail to give God praise for His deliverance and goodness in all seasons. The Bible tells us to give thanks in all circumstances and rejoice always. When our attitude isn't one of gratitude, we will drown ourselves in our own misery. It's like living in a dumpster and then complaining that it stinks. If you fill your mind with the garbage of life, that is what will surround you, and what you'll give off to everyone around you. Meanwhile, someone else could walk the same path you’re on and find 25 things to be grateful for on the way.

Gratitude is a choice we make, not an emotion we feel. God's Word tells us to be thankful in all circumstances, not be thankful for all circumstances. We often experience circumstances that don't make us feel very good, but we should worship through them anyway because God is good in all situations. Let me give you an example. Last summer I met the wonderful man I am now dating. About 6 months into our relationship, we had to face a very difficult season. We have been long-distance since the beginning, but last semester we could never find time to see each other. Over the course of 4-5 months, we only saw each other about 4 times. This was the longest we had gone without seeing each other and it proved to be extremely difficult for us. In order to continue on in our relationship, we both had to switch our focus. Instead of constantly focusing on how much I missed him or how hard the circumstances of the time were , I began to thank God every day for giving me a loving partner, a patient partner, a loyal partner, and a partner that would pray with me when life got hard. I would pray, "God this is really hard, but thank you for the time I do get with him." I wasn't necessarily thankful for the season of long distance, but I was thankful in the season.

The reality is if God never answers another prayer or if He sees fit that we lose everything, it would be hard. Yet, even if we lost it all, we ought to be able to rise above it and say that God has been so good to us. Why? Because if being able to worship is contingent upon the stuff you have, you're not really worshipping. A lot of us are living with the mentality that if our stuff disappears, then our song disappears. However, our song shouldn't be based upon our stuff, but rather upon our Savior, and as long as King Jesus is seated high on His throne, we have an incredible reason to sing.

Gratitude has the power to turn what we have into enough. Think back to the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand in Matthew. The disciples only saw the direness of the situation while Jesus decided to have an attitude of gratitude. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish and began to thank God for it. Then, He broke the bread and God turned it into enough. We read in chapter fourteen that five thousand people were fed that day. They weren't just fed a small bite. Verse 20 says, "They all ate and were satisfied”. For many in this time period, this was probably the first time they ever ate until they were full. God didn't provide just enough for everyone; He provided an abundance with 12 basketfuls of leftovers. He uses Jesus's gratitude and makes it enough to provide satisfaction. That is the power of gratitude. When we come to God with a heart of thanksgiving, He will transform us so that our current blessings will be enough to satisfy the thirst of our hearts.

Everyone has a reason to be grateful! So, let’s talk about some practical advice on how to grow in gratitude. Number one, thank somebody every day for what they do for you and what they mean to you. This could be a co-worker, a spouse, a sibling, a child, or a friend. When we shift our focus to how much we appreciate those around us, we start to grant them the grace they deserve. This leads into number two: be intentional to limit complaining. A great way to grow in this area is by having someone hold you accountable for it. You'll be amazed at how much you actually complain. When complaints do arise, I want to challenge you to find one thing you are grateful for amidst that complaint. Gratitude has the power to diffuse anger, frustration, anxiety, and jealousy when taken seriously. Number three, set aside a quiet time throughout the day to sit in your gratitude. When you feel your spirit flustered and frustrated, pause and express gratitude for something or someone. You'd be amazed at what it can do to your state of being. And number four: thank God every morning for at least one thing as soon as you open your eyes. This is a great place to start if you're new to gratitude, but it is also incredibly powerful. When we start our day in a state of peace and the contentment brought about by gratitude, it can shift the trajectory of our day.

When I need to be reminded to be grateful, God has a tendency to bring to my mind all the people I love most. For me, I have loving and supportive parents, an incredible man I get to love and do life with, an adorable dog, and a bunch of other people that I love as well (if you're reading this, you count too!). God will put all these people in my mind, and then the question begins to arise: If you could never hug your parents again, if you could never give your dog another tummy rub, if you could never again get the opportunity to dance around the kitchen and worship with your partner… if you could never do any of that again, what would you give to have it back? And the answer is always one word: Everything. Then the Holy Spirit will prompt me, and say, "So what do you already have?" Everything.

So, what are you grateful for? Meditate on those areas and watch how God will turn your blessings into more than enough.

May your roots run deep, and your faith remain strong! As always, Stay Rooted, my friends! <3