Gratitude is Good
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:” Psalms 92:1.
Being grateful and expressing gratitude is a good thing. Interestingly, even natural medicine knows that being grateful is good for you. People who express gratitude are healthier and happier than those who do not.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7. Those that are grateful because they trust in God, will have peace that passes understanding. This is not just spiritual health, but even natural health as well.
This should not come as a surprise, since God created us and He certainly knows what is best for us. However, I want to consider more about what might cause us to be grateful. I suppose that it might be easy to be grateful for something really good that happens to us, but what about those days when everything seems to go wrong?
“In every thing (all circumstances) give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1Thessalonians 5:18. Why would we want to give thanks in all circumstances? Because we need to recognize that all of our circumstances are allowed by God. Even when we make some bad choice and are suffering the consequences (it does happen), God knows and we can turn even that over to Him and He will bring it out for our good.
Job is the best example of this. Even though he did not understand why God was allowing the trial in his life, he bowed and worshiped God. “What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” This is what Job said to his wife. It is easy to be grateful in the good times, but we are encouraged to be grateful in all times.
Gratitude is very much about recognizing God is good and He does what is best for us. “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” Psalms 107:21-22. It is a sacrifice because we do not just naturally want to be thankful for something we don’t like. As we come to know our Lord better, the gratitude is easier because we come to realize His goodness in our lives.
God deserves our gratitude just for being who He is. His very character is deserving of our gratitude. “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalms 136:1. God doesn’t just do good things for us, He IS good. It is His character.
Certainly, when we see God’s hand in our life, we should be grateful. Remember the ten lepers. They were all healed, but only one came back. Sometimes, even as God’s children, we might tend to move on and enjoy something God has done for us. Let us not be like the other nine that did not turn back to give thanks.
We have many things about which to be grateful. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15. We certainly should start with the gift of His Son Jesus. Nothing else would be available to us without Jesus coming and giving Himself to make it possible. Every single day we should be grateful for Jesus.
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57. He gives us victory that we cannot get for ourselves. This particular reference is about getting victory over death. Are you grateful for victory over death? I am, every day.
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;” 1 Timothy 1:12. He enables us every day for whatever He calls us to. He is always faithful to enable us. And, if you think you do not have a ministry, you are mistaken. Every part of the body of Christ has something God has called them to.
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15. And here is the conclusion of the matter. Gratitude is an attitude that should be continual. Not sure what to be thankful for? Just read God’s Word. You will begin to understand that you have everything to be grateful for. You will also understand that gratitude is a continual attitude that is not dependent upon our circumstances. It flows from the life of Christ in us.
I pray that you have a very happy Thanksgiving. If you are truly grateful, to God first, and also to others, you will indeed be happy.
