We define gratitude as ‘the quality of being thankful with a readiness to show appreciation for something or to someone and being ready to return kindness.' In God’s Word we are encouraged to give thanks in everything.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
What does everything mean? It means EVERYTHING! Even when have been emotionally wounded? Even when we face physical difficulties such as Parkinson’s (which I personally deal with)? Regardless of our circumstances we are to express gratitude to God. Why is that? Simply put, God causes all things to work together for our good…and He walks through those circumstances WITH us. We are never alone.
Romans 8:28 NASB
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose.
When we learn to see and live our lives from God’s point of view, we tend to develop an attitude of gratitude. Expressing our gratitude to God makes us very aware of His presence with us and opens a channel between us through which He pours out his grace upon us to take the next step. He meets us right where we are - but loves us enough to not leave us there. We find it easier to give god thanks in all things, but not so easy to give God thanks FOR all things.
Ephesians 5:15-21 NASB
15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord [is.]
18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to [our] God and Father;
21 and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
Why would God want us to give thanks for bad things that happen to us? I believe it is because He wastes nothing…and when we have an attitude of gratitude even FOR all things we must endure in this life we are able to put down the lies of the enemy that constantly come against us. Gratitude is, in a sense, part of the armor of God we have in our arsenal by which we defeat the liar and walk in the light of truth - and truth sets us free.
I encourage you to give God thanks in all things and for all things and walk in freedom. That’s extreme gratitude - and it looks good on us. It is a choice, but we are people of choice. Just give thanks. That’s what I am choosing to do.
Dennis Jernigan
To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this blog, just go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/extreme-gratitude-an-interview-with-author-rick-carr/
Phot courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2019/03/29/05/12/worship-4088561_1280.jpg