1 Thessalonians 5:18(KJV)
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Gratitude is an attitude and the quality of being thankful. Every man of deep gratitude is a man of great altitude. You can move God to do more for you through the heart of gratitude. Those who show gratitude to God achieve significant things in life. For those with a heart of gratitude to God, when things are working, they praise God, and when things are not going in the direction they envisaged, they still praise God, knowing well that the faithfulness of God will never allow them to suffer loss. Gratitude focuses on who God is and what He means to us. If we wait for what God will do before we can be grateful to Him, we wait too long. When we are grateful, our focus moves off selfish desires and off the pain of current circumstances. The people of God are grateful people, for they realize how much they have been given. Grateful people don’t miss greatness.
Solomon showed his gratitude to God through his offerings (1 Kings 3:3-15). He remembered and reflected on all the conspiracies and battles that led to his emergence as king, and he was moved to give thanks. King David was also very grateful to God that he expressed it in his dance, to the point where he was disdained (2 Samuel 6:16). He forgot he was a king, by demonstrating his gratitude to the King of kings. Paul although he was heavily persecuted, yet he wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:14, “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”
Are you surrounded by enemies you can’t number? Are you going through situations that you can’t see yourself overcoming? Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, give Him thanks and you will see His salvation. Just take the step of faith and begin to bless the Name of the Lord. Even if you have no legs, blind, cannot hear, have not what to eat, your finances are low or you seem to be in the midst of an endless battle, still lift up your hands in gratitude for the gift of life. Even if you are sacked from your job or refused a job offer, just begin to bless the Lord because something awesome is about to happen to you, and the world will hear your testimony. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” With a heart of gratitude to God, count your blessings and name them one by one. Remember, it was gratitude that brought Solomon into his place of encounter.
Beloved, no matter what you are passing through right now, learn to count your blessings. There is something for you to be thankful for! Never neglect or take the help of God for granted, for as you see and appreciate His Goodness in your life, He will take you to higher heights. Change your altitude by engaging in an attitude of gratitude. Today look up and appreciate God for what you have and for where you are! If nothing good ever occurred in your life, God’s Presence is enough to inspire gratitude, appreciation and thankfulness.
Heavenly Father, thank You for all things, forgive me for my ungratefulness, as You baptize me with the spirit of gratitude and appreciation in Jesus’ Name.