8/25/24
Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
We’ve discussed gratitude in the past. Today I want to discuss a particular aspect of thankfulness known as appreciation. In a world where we are tempted to look upon things as dark, sinister, and destructive, it is easy to lose our perspective; easy to abandon God’s Light and Love and dwell on the negative.
It is simple things that draw our attention, and it is simple things that we set aside too quickly. Imagine waking up each day without the gift of sight. How would we appreciate the sunrise, the faces of loved ones, or the beauty of creation? Our physical eyes allow us to see, but our spiritual eyes enable us to appreciate. Today I want to encourage the eyes that recognize God’s goodness in every moment—the sunrise, the laughter of children, the warmth of a hug. When we appreciate the ordinary and simple, they become extraordinary.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Appreciation isn’t just about saying “thank you.” It’s about recognizing the interconnectedness of life. When we appreciate someone’s kindness, it ripples outward. Our heart is warmed, and we, in turn, spread kindness to others.
Let’s be intentional about showing appreciation, creating positive ripples. Appreciate the barista who makes our coffee, the neighbor who mows our lawn, and the friend who listens when we are hurting. Our gratitude can change the world—one ripple at a time.
Gratitude and appreciation are cousins: similar, but different. Gratitude is the feeling of being thankful for something that has been given or received. It’s a state of recognizing the good in our lives. When we experience gratitude, we acknowledge the benefits we received, whether tangible or intangible. Gratitude doesn’t single out specific acts or people; it is more about living in a state of thankfulness all the time.
Appreciation is more intimate, more personal, more focused. It is the recognition and enjoyment of the value of specific acts or qualities. It is about understanding the worth or positive impact of a situation, person, or thing. For example, we might appreciate someone for helping us move heavy furniture because we realize their contribution was essential. Appreciation carries a sense of gratitude, value, and enjoyment. When we appreciate something, we savor its value. It’s like sipping a fine cup of coffee and truly relishing its flavor.
Appreciation is not only a virtue; it is an art. As in all art, the artist begins with nothing and forms something beautiful by looking beyond a blank page, a mound of clay, or an empty staff. Art is born of imagination, emotion, innovation, and legacy. This is why some art is great and some mediocre. If we experience it and carry it in our memories and emotions it is great art. If we find that we want to return to it again and again, that is great art.
So it is with appreciation. Our life is a blank canvas awaiting our interaction. Through the broad strokes of love and the detailed lines and colors of appreciation we create our masterpiece. When we feel appreciation, we want to return to it again and again. It is satisfying to experience and to share. As studies reveal, all emotions are energy. When we experience the energy of appreciation and love, our bodies are ‘normalized’: the heartbeat slows and steadies, the blood pressure lowers. Practicing appreciation is like ingesting a nutrient that positively impacts our health. People who cultivate appreciation tend to experience fewer stress-related symptoms, better sleep, and improved overall health.
When we intentionally notice and acknowledge the things we appreciate, we brighten our outlook. It is like adjusting the lens through which we view the world. Even amidst challenges, appreciating the small joys—whether a warm cup of coffee, a kind word, or a beautiful sunset—can shift our perspective.
A simple exercise for increasing our appreciation is to write down 8 to 10 things that complete these prompts: “I’m glad I’m…,” “I’m grateful for…,” “I am fortunate because…” Write down your responses neatly on a page and read your words five minutes a day. This will make us more aware of our blessings.
In 2003, psychologists Emmons and McCullough asked participants to practice exercises of "counting their blessings" either on a weekly basis for ten weeks or on a daily basis for two or three weeks. At the end of the time period, compared to a control group, the participants reported much more positive emotion, and better physical health. As a result of such research, many positive psychologists believe that appreciation is the most essential and powerful constituent of well-being, since it involves a whole shift of attitude and perspective.
It makes sense. We have made it a habit of responding negatively to people and situations. If it is a habit, we can break it; we can alter how we think and respond. By focusing on our blessings, by focusing on what we appreciate instead of what bugs us, eventually, rational and positive thinking styles can become habitual, just as negative patterns once were.
Sadly, this takes effort. There is a human tendency to take for granted our blessings, an inclination to switch off to the value of the good things in our lives. We often fail to appreciate the full value of our health, of the people we love, of our peace, freedom and prosperity, and the very fact that we are alive at all.
Sometimes we don’t get it until those things are taken away from us. So, it is vital that we take the time to ponder them while we still have them. Tell the people we value how we feel about them. Let the people we love know our feelings. Neither we nor they will be around forever on this earth. Someone said, “Learn to appreciate what you have before time makes you appreciate what you had.”
We can change our thinking. We can develop a more appreciative thinking style. A 2009 study at University College London tracked 96 people as they tried to learn new habits, like eating a piece of fruit with lunch, drinking a glass of water, or going for a 15-minute run every day. The study found that, on average, it took 66 days for the behavior to become automatic to them. We’ve been told it takes 3 weeks to develop a habit. Well, let’s give it twice that long. We’ll get better results.
It is easy to overlook our blessings, so we must be aware. James 1:17 teaches, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” We must be watchful and mindful of all our blessings, even the simple ones like the air we breathe, the taste of food, the laughter shared with friends. Take a moment to appreciate the seemingly small things—the way raindrops kiss the earth, the scent of freshly baked bread, the sound of a loved one’s voice. In these, we encounter God’s grace.
Our worship isn’t complete without appreciation. When we gather here, we bring our joys and sorrows, our victories and defeats. But above all, we bring our appreciation. Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 tells us to “…fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Appreciation transcends the temporal world and bridges this life to eternity. When we appreciate Christ’s nature and God’s love, His promises, and His presence, we glimpse the eternal. It is my prayer that we live with an eternal perspective, knowing that we are a beloved child of God. We are made to be happy and express God’s joy and be appreciative for all God’s blessings. Yet, even in trials, we can appreciate the refining work of Christ in our lives, as we grow and transform under the careful and loving guidance of Spirit, and our challenges become steppingstones toward God’s glory.
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