“You cannot exercise power without gratitude, for it is gratitude that keeps you connected with power.” ~ Wallace Wattles
How many of you live a life of gratitude? I am not talking about giving thanks here and there, I mean really being grateful morning, noon, and night for the things you have and the blessings you have experienced? It’s so easy for us to say yes but to have a gratitude practice means that you must have an attitude of gratefulness.
Being grateful is about being connected to the power source. Having this connection means that your focus is more on the Supreme Being and less on yourself. Believe or not being truly grateful requires you to make it a lifestyle. There are lots of benefits to being grateful such as an immense need to be kind, you are much happier with where you are in life, you are much healthier; people are drawn to you, it improves your career, and a host of other benefits. Not to mention, God becomes more prominent in your life.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28
When we give thanks we show God how much we appreciate Him. God has provided us not only with life here on earth but He has granted us access to His kingdom in heaven. Being thankful humbles us to give reverence to the great I am. Showing appreciation to those close to you makes them feel warm and fuzzy inside. Imagine how God feels when we give Him thanks for all of His marvelous works. One thing I know for sure-no one can beat God giving so there should be no one who beats us in giving thanks.
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” Psalms 50:23
Praise is a way to show admiration and thanks for all that has been done for us. Psalms 50 reminds us that giving praise is our way of glorifying God and in doing so His salvation is shown. What is your praise life-like? Yes you thank God for all He has done but do you praise Him? Do you praise Him through song, or maybe through a prayer where you aren’t asking Him for anything but rather you are thanking Him for everything given; thanking Him for anything taken away, and for His goodness? You like to be praised don’t you? Well so does the Father. Praise is about opening up your heart and pouring out how much God means to you. It’s an opportunity to tell Him that without Him you are nothing, you can’t do anything, and that without His faithfulness your life is meaningless. Glorifying God is about showing appreciation for the sacrifice. Everything that we have in this life and the after-life came at a cost. A sacrifice of great proportion.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:15-17
We are commanded to be thankful in all that we do. Every action, deed, or word that we produce should be deeply rooted in thanksgiving. Not only should we give thanks but we should admonish our sisters and brothers in Christ to do the same. Thankfulness and gratefulness should become a way of life for all that believe and trust in the Father and the Son. We have not because we ask not and when we ask, we should ask with thanksgiving knowing that our Father gives good gifts (James 1:17).
When the word of God is deeply ingrained in our souls we have a connection, a bond if you will, that can’t be broken by earthly weapons. Our gratitude strengthens our connection to God and every time we say ‘thank you’ or ‘I appreciate you God’ that bond with the Father gets stronger. It is His desire to share this type of connection with each of His children. Showing how grateful we are touches God’s heart and it moves us to be in the proper position to receive His blessings.
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36
Living life without gratitude and thankfulness makes us self-centered, arrogant, and selfish. This life that we live is not about us. Nothing exists because of who we are or what we do. We must remember that everything on this earth is for the Father, this world exists because of Him, and that He is everything. The Father is owed glorification, praise, and worship. We honor Him when we thank Him. And unlike us who may do things expecting something in return, God does it for us because He loves us unconditionally. His love should be enough to give thanks.
“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Giving thanks helps to keep us grounded. As humans we have a tendency to covet or want what belongs to someone else. Focusing on the many blessings already in your possession keeps your eyes and your heart focused on God. It also helps to keep us humble. Being thankful not only for the good but for the challenging circumstances gives us more opportunity to lean on the Father for support and guidance. Our hearts become more receptive to hear the wisdom from God and gives us clarity of our next steps. In the difficult situations we aren’t giving God thanks for the situation itself but rather for the peace, strength, and courage to make it to the other side. Gratitude keeps us in a place of joy and contentment versus anger and bitterness. There is not enough room in our hearts for love and hate and if you are in a position of thanks, love always wins.
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” Hebrews 13:15
A thankful heart really allows you to see how amazing the Father is to you and those around you. You begin to have a deep understanding and appreciation for what God can do and the real power that was created and lives in you. Having an attitude of gratitude helps you to have a right and meaningful relationship with God, self, and others. What are you grateful for today? How will you show God your gratitude? How will you show others your gratefulness? No matter how you choose to give thanks, let it be done with a heart filled with love and praise to the Father for He is worthy to be praised.
YJS
ENCOURAGEMENT CONNECTION 