Gratitude
Lexico.com definition – n. “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.”
THANK GOD! How often do we hear this phrase casually uttered? Often the person is simply relieved that something turned out in their favour.
The word GRATITUDE is robust and complex. It’s not just a matter of minding your manners and saying thank you, it’s a practice of actively looking for the good in a situation and choosing to give thanks. Developing an attitude of gratitude flexes our faith muscle and compels us to look for God’s goodness in spite of our circumstances. This can be difficult. We aren’t asked to be thankful for our circumstances but giving thanks is an act of relinquishing control and trusting God to work things together for good. It’s almost a challenge or a dare, not to God but to us. Daring to believe that God IS in control and WILL work good in any situation is a vital test of our faith. Most of us don’t like tests yet we know they serve a purpose. They prove what we know. The same is true of our faith. Faith that isn’t tested is no faith at all. God wants to strengthen our faith and does it by allowing opportunities to trust in His goodness. Is this pandemic testing your faith? Is it exposing your frailties? Can you dare to give thanks for your weaknesses so you can see God’s all-sufficient strength?
A profound passage on faith is found in Mark 9 when Jesus heals a boy with an evil spirit. The father of the boy asks Jesus to take pity on them and help them if he can. Jesus replies, “If I can? Everything is possible for those who believe.” The man is honest and exclaims, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” We are invited to do the same. God does not expect more of us than we are able, but if we are honest about our faith (or lack thereof) and admit we want to believe, then He can work miracles in our lives.
Start now by giving thanks for the small things, even that which may seem relatively insignificant. Make it a habit. Flexing your gratitude muscle in the little things will strengthen your ability to give thanks when more difficult situations arise – and they will. It’s not too late to develop a new habit. In fact, now may be the perfect time.
What role does gratitude play in your life? What’s your relationship with it during this pandemic? For what are you grateful? Where are you struggling to give thanks? It’s important to be honest about your struggles. Like the boy’s father in Mark 9, admit what you believe and ask for help in your unbelief.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ”
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. ”
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. ”