This month we celebrate Thanksgiving, and I would like to reflect a little on gratitude. Being grateful is an attitude that gives us satisfaction and joy in life because we can recognize how much God loves us and how he provides for us every day of our lives.
When we buy or receive material gifts, we feel satisfaction or happiness, but this happiness is only temporary. The action of expressing gratitude, either to God or to other people, is what truly gives the satisfaction and joy that lasts a lifetime.
Being grateful empowers us. It is typical to give thanks only when things are going well in life. For example, when we receive a raise in salary, when we are promoted at work, when we get something that we have wanted or when we successfully complete a project, just to name a few. However, when things are not going as planned, when we are dealing with illnesses, loss or grief, when we lose a job or when we believe that God is not listening to our prayers, we do not express gratitude. Very often we also fail to give thanks for the ordinary things that surround us every day. More than a gesture of kindness, gratitude is a practice that strengthens our spiritual growth. It is a joyful way of living and expressing our faith. Giving thanks shows that we understand how God loves us and how we understand that everything that happens in our lives has divine purposes for our spiritual growth. It is important to remember that gratitude is one of the spiritual keys that unlocks the door to joy, contentment, peace, and dependence on God.
Do not get tired of thanking God every day for what you have. Being grateful is an excellent way to worship God. Most of the time ordinary things go unnoticed and we don’t stop to enjoy the immense amount of details that God has put into the creation for us and are available to us every day. What would happen if one day we woke up and there is no sun or no water?
Most of the time we live thinking about the things that we want, which we may not necessarily need and this brings us frustration, dissatisfaction and lack of peace. Philippians 4:6 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Being grateful is the best attitude to have before everything in life. If there is something that we need, then the best thing is to put it in God’s hands trusting in His love for us and showing the trust that we have in Him.
Be grateful and keep peace in your life!
Rafa