The next brick for the walls of our little house of happiness is called ‘I give thanks.’
Gratitude is an expression of appreciation to someone who has taken part in our life in some way. We value that person’s involvement and express it through respect and thanksgiving. It is also our appreciation for the attention or kindness shown to us and for something we have received from another person. Gratitude to God is a manifestation of faith in Him and an understanding that He exists and rewards those who love Him.
Gratitude may be expressed automatically, out of habit, as a sign of good upbringing, or consciously, when we understand that something significant is taking place in our life and, after weighing all the facts and arguments, decide to be grateful.
What should we be thankful for? In society, it is customary to give thanks for every good and beautiful thing that comes into a person’s life and for all the services, blessings, and good deeds performed for his benefit or for the benefit of those near and dear to him. If someone fails to express gratitude for all this, society regards him as ill-mannered.
But what should I do if something bad happens in my life and, instead of blessings, I am overwhelmed by losses, problems, and cares that oppress me and deprive me of peace of mind? Should I give thanks for that? And whom should I thank?
From a worldly person’s point of view, gratitude is out of the question. But when viewed from the position of a believer, everything changes.
Gratitude is a spirit of appreciation for everything that happens to me. It is an expression of a spirit of thanksgiving toward people and toward God.
Christ taught that when I believe in Him, I am in His hand, and no one can pluck me out of it. This means that everything happening in my life is under His control and that He permits only those trials I am able to bear. Therefore, if something happens to me, it does so only with His permission. At the same time, I have freedom and, through my own foolishness, may harm myself and even deprive myself of the right to Eternal life. But if I hold fast to Jesus in faith and faithfulness, He has the power to protect me and not permit in my life anything that could harm me.
Do you remember when Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to thank Him? Jesus told him that his faith had saved him.
Gratitude to God is an expression of my faith in Him as my Lord, Savior, and Friend, to Whom I belong by right of creation and redemption.
And if something bad or very bad happens in my life, it means that God has permitted it in order to teach me something or cleanse me of something.
When I thank God, I thereby express my trust in His providence and find rest in His love.
I give thanks. This decision brings me to the realization that I am evaluating the situation correctly and directing everything toward positive thinking. In this way, I help others understand that I am a grateful person, capable of perceiving what is happening correctly and recognizing its positive side.
The conscious act of giving thanks contains a special power that makes me victorious in every situation and sets my thoughts on the right course.
The apostle Paul counsels us to give thanks for everything. What happiness it is to be grateful to everyone and for everything! At times, amid problems, I cannot understand or see my future or what I will ultimately come to. But if I remain grateful, then after the trials have passed, I see in them the process of my growth and rejoice that I maintained the right spirit. I therefore have no cause to regret failing to value the trial and grumbling at my lot in life.
A spirit of gratitude leads you to be content with everything, and if it is joined with godliness, that is truly wonderful.
I am grateful. This is a source of good cheer, an awareness of my strength for victory in Jesus, and joy for every day. Grateful people are happy by nature. It is pleasant to have any kind of relationship with them, and it is very rewarding to be their friend.
When we give someone a gift, somewhere in our subconscious we expect a reaction and therefore wait with interest for a response. Sometimes sincere words of gratitude bring the giver more joy than the recipient. In this light, imagine how God feels, for He is constantly showering us with gifts.
Our gratitude is also intended to make others happy. Sometimes someone freely does us a favor, and if we notice it and begin thanking our benefactor, we can see that person’s face light up with happiness and with the realization that he did something for us that we were able to value—or appreciate even more deeply.
I am so grateful to you! This is the highest expression of respect and appreciation. Try it, and you will see what happiness it is to give thanks—and to give thanks for everything.
Gratitude without love is still an expression of appreciation that inclines people’s hearts toward a mutually positive relationship. There is something Heavenly in this approach that beautifies our everyday life. Yet the enemy of souls seeks to distort even this, prompting people to reply, ‘You cannot put thanks in your pocket or pour it into a glass.’ Under the influence of such a spirit, many people want your gratitude to take material form as money or reciprocal good deeds. If that does not happen, they regard you as a selfish opportunist and therefore stop paying attention to you.
Love moves both the giving heart and the receiving heart to do everything wholeheartedly, thereby filling a person with special joy and happiness. After all, either you have done something pleasant for another person, or through that person’s attention, gift, or blessing you have experienced something beautiful and joyful.
Even if there is not a single person in my life who gives me anything, there is always God, Who continually and tenderly cares for me, carries me in His arms, gives me everything I need, thinks about my salvation, longs to meet me personally in His Kingdom, and desires to see me happy in this dark world. I can simply thank Him for all this and, as I meditate on Him, express still more praise for everything that happens in my life, for my life is under God’s complete control when it is dedicated and entrusted to the Most High through my obedience and faith.
I give thanks. This is a part of my happiness and a very positive attitude toward everything that happens in my life. Everything that happens to me is worthy of my gratitude.
It is very important that I myself also be present in this spirit of gratitude. This is the vital union of the Heavenly and the human as it passes through my heart. My personal participation and sincere choice are essential in this building process.
There have been times when the police stopped me for minor traffic violations and issued me a ticket requiring me to pay a fine. I sincerely and joyfully thanked the officers because they perform such important work: they care about my safety, protect me, catch criminals, and risk their lives for my well-being. This brought joy and sincere smiles of agreement to the faces of these guardians of the law. After all, it is true.
I am grateful. This is a very good seed of positivity that makes the world around me kinder and more beautiful.
Bible verses for this chapter:
1 Thessalonians 5:18; Luke 17:12–19; Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:3–4; 4:6–7; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2:13; Ephesians 5:4; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:3; 2 Corinthians 9:10–11; Revelation 4:9–11; 7:11–12; 1 Chronicles 23:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13–15