by Amanda B. McKelroy | April 24, 2018
Have you ever considered that being a grateful person isn’t just a personal quality but a command from the Bible? How easy it is to rush through life without taking time to “smell the roses,” and to express gratitude to God for the things He has done in our lives.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts… and by ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
I Thessalonians 5:18
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” Ephesians 5:20
My father had an unspoken rule in our household that if he did something for one of his children (bought a treat, took us out to eat, etc) and we did not say thank you – it wouldn’t happen again, at least not for a very long time. As the one providing for our family, he wanted his children to express appreciation and gratitude for what he did for us. God is our Heavenly Father and desires the same type of relationship, a parental one, with His children. Expressing gratitude to the One who provides for us should be an intricate part of our lives every day. But we as a society have lost sight of how important gratitude is; choosing instead to dwell on the unpleasant things in life and to stew on what has gone wrong. We must determine to have an attitude of gratitude every day, all day long.
It’s easy to say, “Let’s have an attitude of gratitude.” But how do we accomplish it? The Bible has an answer for us:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
We are commanded to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. If we can keep our thoughts under control, then our hearts will be grateful and our words will be of gratitude not negativity. The Bible tells us in Matthew 12:34b: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” What we think on will penetrate our hearts, and our words come from our hearts. So we must conquer our thoughts!
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” II Corinthians 10:5
If we don’t learn to conquer our thoughts, and through that our mouths we will never succeed in having a grateful heart. We will be negative and critical people, and will never realize the full potential of a joyful life. Peter spoke about this issue in I Peter 3. He instructed Christians to refrain their tongue from evil and to speak no guile (deceit). He informs Christians that speaking “evil” and with deceit will keep us from loving life and from having good days. That’s a powerful thought! Think on good things so you will speak good things. This will lead to having good days and loving life.
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good: let him seek peace, and ensue it.” I Peter 3:10-11
Becoming a joy filled person isn’t easy, but it is worthwhile. We have looked at the reasons we should be working on this area of our lives and we have looked at ways we can accomplish it. Remember, when you make decision for Christ the devil will fight against you! But take heart because God is on our side and He is greater than every struggle we face and He will help us in our journey to become a joy filled person.
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31
