Attitude of Gratitude

How would you define a grateful heart?

Ask ten different people, and you might get ten different answers. But if we analyze it according to God’s Word, it means being focused on the very goodness of our Heavenly Father.

Having a grateful heart is a principle that runs throughout all of Scripture and taps into God’s power like nothing else. And when we get it down deep in our souls, when we release it in our hearts … it can literally renew our minds. It can encourage us greatly … and activate His blessings in every part of our lives … hallelujah!

The apostle Paul wrote: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Paul also linked thankfulness to establishing peace in your life, which gives you relief from anxiety and stress:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

I want you to take a minute or two and come up with some things that are praiseworthy in your own life. What true blessings are you grateful for that you know are gifts from God?

Remember, the thing about true gratitude is that it’s not only about thanking the Lord for what He’s done for us; it can also heal and restore us as we lift His name in praise.

This is exactly what King David did in Psalm 103:1-5 when he wrote:

Bless the Lord, O my soul
And all that is within me,
bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from
destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness
and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with
good things,
So that your youth is renewed
like the eagle’s.

Do you recall the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17:11-19? All of these men were begging Jesus, “Master, have mercy on us” (v. 13)! But only one of them responded with gratitude once Jesus miraculously healed them.

He told the man, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well” (v. 19). Even though Jesus had cured all the men, the one who returned to give God glory gained an additional blessing that the others did not. He was completely restored through physical healing, but he also received spiritual and emotional healing.

That’s the power of gratitude. The Bible instructs us to give thanks “IN everything,” not just AFTER everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Paul was very conscious of the incredible trials he had faced, yet he wrote, “We KNOW that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) DURING his immense struggles (2 Corinthians 11:22-29). He didn’t wait until AFTER he was released from prison to declare God’s goodness.

Remember, we’ll never receive God’s best if we choose to dwell on our problems instead of His answers. So give Him thanks at all times and in every circumstance. Whether you realize it or not, He is always working to bring about His purposes in your life.

As you constantly thank God for the wonderful work He’s doing, you’ll find yourself declaring like David, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).

Our gratitude brings His joy into our hearts, and our praise brings His miracle power into every area of our lives.

Turn on the Favor Faucet

Setting your eyes on Jesus will bring transformation if you truly seek Him. But when you do fix your focus on your Savior, take one more step: No matter how you feel, agree with God that He loves you. Remember that you are wonderfully made and have His favor written on your heart.

Be thankful for the amazing gift of life. Begin to speak words of faith and thanksgiving as you go about His plans and purposes. And never forget the blessings He’s given you.

Remember, God is not some cosmic being far out in the universe, disengaged from the cares and concerns of your life. He loves you. He cares about you. And He is as close to you as the breath you breathe.

God wants to bless you and answer your prayers today. Jesus promised us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). But then He went on to say that our confidence in petitioning God with our prayer requests is dependent on seeing Him and praising Him as our loving Heavenly Father.

What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:9-11)!

Let those words sink in for a moment. You have a Father in Heaven who wants to give you “good things” when you ask Him! As much as your earthly father may love you, your Heavenly Father loves you more … so much more. He longs to show you His kindness and approval … to bless you … and to give you good gifts.

You see, when you begin to look through the eyes of gratitude, when you begin to praise Him and realize who He truly is … everything else in your life is affected.

Not only will your worship-filled attitude reenergize your spiritual life, but there will be a transformation of your health, finances, emotions, and relationships as well. You can experience His supernatural favor – not just for a moment, but also for a lifetime, and then for all eternity!

God Bless You!