SPIRITUAL GRATITUDE

Gratitude helps us see what is there instead of what isn’t.  –Annette Bridges

Focus more on being grateful for what you do have, rather than complaining about what you don’t.
An attitude of gratitude, will keep the blessings on the way.  –Mark Sutton

I ran across these two, which I consider related quotes, on social media and thought they were worth sharing this week.

Do you, like me, find it easier to practice gratitude when everything is going well?
Isn’t it harder to feel gratitude when we are going through rough waters and can’t seem to catch a break?

 

Let’s see how we can apply the wisdom of these quotes when we experience tougher times. What can we see in gratitude for what we have?

What if your car breaks down and it takes a week to fix it?
–Maybe you have the capacity to work at home.
–Maybe you have a friend who goes in the same direction.

What if you have a health issue that requires surgery?
–You appreciate the technological advances we have these days.
–You recall the good health you’ve experienced.

What if you are struggling with forgiving yourself?
–You may have friends who encourage you to let go and let God.
–You can talk with a religious official or therapist to work through forgiveness.

 

Photo courtesy of Kim Singdahlsen under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

 

Who is a good Biblical example of living out gratitude despite difficult circumstances and never complaining?

Paul.

You might remember that Paul originally persecuted Christians in the early church until Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He came to know that Jesus was the Lord, and his life took a complete turn. He became the most influential man who preached to the Gentiles, the non-Jewish people, and wrote many books in the New Testament.

In his ministry, Paul experienced being in prison, shipwrecked, and beaten! Do you know what helped him through all he endured? His faith in Jesus was strong, and he had an attitude of gratitude, knowing what Jesus endured for him and for all of us. Paul prayed for his persecutors and even shared the Gospel with them because he wanted them to be saved.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength. –Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

No matter what Paul’s physical surroundings or circumstances were, he lived with contentment. In his life, he experienced times of plenty and times of need. No matter what, he knew that Jesus was in charge and would provide what he needed when he needed it. That kind of faith in Jesus’ provision was only possible because Paul knew Jesus was giving him strength to endure each moment.

Photo courtesy of Ken Whytock under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)

 

What if we also look at gratitude on a spiritual level? What do we always have that should fill us with gratitude?

*God’s presence ~

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

God’s presence is always with us, every moment of every day! He never leaves us, so God is with us in both the good and bad things that happen in our lives. Because He is always with us, we can replace fear and discouragement with being strong and courageous.

*God’s unconditional love ~

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. –1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)

God’s love is based on His pure love for making us His children. We cannot earn God’s love; it is just there. Our very being, our very existence, is because of God’s love for making us in His image. All we have to do is choose God and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

*God’s peace ~

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” –John 14:27 (NLT)

In this often troubled world, another great gift Jesus has given us is His peace. We can only have this peace through Jesus. It is a peace that sustains us despite troubling circumstances and even suffering. The world does not provide peace.

May you be encouraged to look at events in life more from a spiritual level than from a worldly level. We all have equal gratitude in our spirituality.

 

Photo courtesy of Rikki’s Refuge under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

 

Be encouraged this week to…

…focus on gratitude for all the physical and spiritual things you have.

…refrain from complaining about what is lacking.

…keep gratitude at the forefront to continue the blessings that flow from above.

…see God’s presence surrounding you.

…experience God’s love through His messages to you.

…let God’s peace flow through your mind and heart.

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. –Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)