11/24/2024
Psalm 107:1: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Today, we gather to reflect on the virtue of gratitude, a powerful force that can transform our lives and deepen our spiritual journey. Gratitude is more than just a feeling; it is a way of life that aligns us with the divine and opens our hearts to the abundance of God’s blessings. For many of us, it is not difficult to be grateful during the holidays. But for some, it is difficult because we have lost loved ones at this time of year and the holidays remind us of how much we miss them. Then again, I know people who celebrate their lost loved ones during the holidays by being grateful for the time they had together and the wonderful memories they retain.
This is one of the blessings that gratitude provides. Research shows that gratitude can lead to better mental health. Individuals who regularly practice gratitude tend to experience lower levels of depression and anxiety. We can use gratitude to help reframe our experiences. By surrounding our lost loved ones in the light of gratitude, instead of loss, we promote a positive outlook. Studies show this can lead to less stress, a more resilient mindset, and better coping with difficult situations.
When we are grateful, we are at peace with the way our life is going. Philippians 4:6 teaches: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” This verse highlights the connection between gratitude and peace. Also, Colossians 3:15 states: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Here, gratitude is linked to the peace that comes from Christ.
Gratitude is a powerful virtue, so is thanksgiving. They are often used synonymously, although they are a bit different. Gratitude is a complex emotion that is defined as a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for the good things in our lives, both big and small. Gratitude can be directed towards people, experiences, possessions, or even just the simple fact of being alive.
The act of being thankful, on the other hand, happens when we receive some kind of benefit. In other words, thankfulness is a reaction. For example, someone holds a door open for us or buys us a cup of coffee. In this moment, we are thankful and happy. Being thankful is a brief emotional response to a fleeting situation. While gratitude remains, thankfulness fades. It’s common for gratitude to start as thankfulness, but gratitude becomes stronger when you keep focusing on what remains. To put it another way, gratitude sticks around longer than thankfulness.
Thankfulness deepens our external connections, whereas gratitude deepens our internal connections. Whenever something good occurs externally, we feel thankful. The power of gratitude lies in relying on our inner voice to remain positive and grateful regardless of the circumstances. I’ve also heard it said that thankfulness is an outward way to express our inner gratitude.
Another subtle difference between thanksgiving and gratitude is that gratitude improves long-term relationships, while thankfulness focuses on the present interactions. We may feel thankful to someone right now, and gratitude is an ongoing gesture of appreciation for the people in our life. When we practice gratitude in our relationships, we will become closer to them.
Still, even with all the differences between thankfulness and gratitude, they are close enough in my mind to be used interchangeably. Gratitude may not always bring us happiness, but we can still practice it. One simple way is to practice gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal. Each day, write down three things that we are grateful for. It can be anything from our health and family to the warm cup of coffee we just enjoyed.
Another way to practice gratitude is to express it to others. When someone does something nice for us, be sure to tell them how much we appreciate it. We can also express gratitude to our friends and family by telling them how much they mean to us. We can write a letter of gratitude to someone we appreciate, expressing our gratitude for their impact on your life. We don’t have to send it, if it feels awkward. But just the act of writing brings feelings of gratitude that we can learn to express openly when the time comes.
We can also practice gratitude by simply taking the time to notice the good things in our life. We can keep a jar or box where we can drop in notes of things we are feeling grateful for. Over time, we’ll have a collection of positive moments to look back on. Let us pay attention to the beauty of nature, the kindness of strangers, and the small joys of everyday life. We can take a nature walk and consciously appreciate the beauty around us. This can help us feel more connected and grateful for the world we live in. We can also become still and mentally send loving-kindness to others, which is also a form of expressing gratitude for their presence in our life.
It is easy to be grateful when things are going well, but true gratitude shines brightest in times of difficulty. In moments of trial, we can find strength in our faith and trust that God is with us. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Let us be aware of the gratitude and thanks that we are expressing. Studies show that our DNA and brain structure can determine how much gratitude and thanksgiving we can feel and express. Whatever limitations our bodily systems have, we can overcome. We can be thankful for our many blessings. We just have to be aware of them and acknowledge them. Despite the difficulties of life, we can move into gratitude. We may have it bad, but there are others who are worse off. We could live in Chad, South Sudan, or some other country that oppresses their people and denies them fundamental rights. But we don’t; thank You, God.
Gratitude has the power to shift our perspective and bring us closer to God. When we focus on what we have rather than what we lack, we begin to see the world through a lens of abundance. This shift in perspective can lead to greater joy, peace, and contentment.
Rather than focusing on our deficits, let us count our blessings every day—from the smallest gifts to the ones that make our heart sing. We can value them all and appreciate the uniqueness of each one. Let us be grateful for the obvious and simple: Our family and friends, for people who support us no matter what. We can appreciate our environment—the beauty of the dawning sun, the breeze on our face, the birds that sing outside our window.
As we add to our gratitude list, our heart expands. Giving thanks opens the way to abundant blessings of healing, prosperity, and harmony. As we think of our blessings and give thanks for them, we deepen in joy and appreciation for our life. We are more peaceful, less stressed, more mentally stable, and closer to God. The bounty and beauty of the world around us magnifies and multiplies blessing by blessing. As Psalm 103:2 proclaims: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits.
It is my prayer that as we leave here today, we carry the spirit of gratitude with us. Let us remember to give thanks in all circumstances, to express our gratitude through our actions, and to trust in God’s plan for our lives. May our hearts be filled with thankfulness, and may we be a light of gratitude in the world.
Thank You, God, and I wish you each a very Happy Thanksgiving.
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