”It is of the Lord's mercies that we
are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore
will I hope in him.”--Lamentations 3:22-24 (KJV)
It’s a
season for gratitude. Last Thursday was Thanksgiving, and Christmas is on the
way. A simple definition of the term might be, “showing appreciation through
words and actions, “or, “saying ‘Thank you’.”
Is that all
there is to it? If that’s the case, how is it possible to feel thankful when the
world is in a mess? How can an individual feel appreciative, if every day is a struggle
financially, mentally, or physically?
A Deeper Examination of Gratitude
Truthfully, hard
times are when we need thankfulness the most. It brings light back into our
lives.
How does that
work? This positivepsychologyprogram.com article
gives some ideas—with added commentary:
Gratitude
helps us realize there’s still good happening despite the wildfires, shootings,
and other catastrophes. The world survives thanks to people who do selfless
acts.
Divine intervention also boosts our lives as noted in Psalm 23:
The Lord is
my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me
to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou
art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou
preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my
head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in
the house of the Lord for ever. (KJV)
The psalmist
was probably writing about having gratitude despite the many enemies coming
against him, including his own weaknesses. For the modern person, this may
translate to the following:
- Unexpected wisdom
- Boosted Strength (physical or spiritual)
- Protection during times of danger, including unseen danger
- Unanticipated provision
What Gratitude Isn’t
Psalm 23 does not say that God only helps us at
random times. He is always with us,
even in our most traumatic hours. That’s
the main reason to be thankful. In fact, no matter if the ancient Israelites
were living in slavery, or in freedom, they were commanded to observe a number
of fasts and celebrations in memory of various victories of the past. These are
still honored today.
In the end, our
level of gratitude should not reflect only how we have, or haven’t, gotten
everything we currently want or need. It’s not just about possessions. This
positive emotion is not just about drastic, positive changes in our
circumstances.
If that were
the case, few individuals would ever feel grateful. In addition, by that standard,
Hollywood stars should be some of the most grateful people on Earth. They’re
not. Many of them are quite dysfunctional and unhappy. The supermarket tabloid
magazines are proof of that.
What Gratitude Is
Gratitude
can be felt toward another person, or to God. It’s an emotional response to
something not intentionally sought after, earned, or deserved.
It’s a positive
emotion felt after being the beneficiary of some gift. Maybe the receiver of
the present doesn’t have the means to repay the giver of it.
It can be
much bigger than “I was finally able to buy those shoes I wanted.” It has to do
with something we’re given that we couldn’t have given ourselves. For instance,
“Mom bought me those shoes I couldn’t afford, and I didn’t even ask her! I’m
going to wear them with my best dress.”
My Conclusion
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for
happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.”—Amy Collette
from shutterfly.com
******************************
“As with all commandments, gratitude
is a description of a successful mode of living. The thankful heart opens our
eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us.”—James E. Faust
from shutterfly.com
Related Posts
What are you grateful for today?
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