Gratitude

“Gratitude, thankfulness, or appreciation is a feeling or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.”

I was reflecting on what true thankfulness is and came across amazing writings and info that really touched my heart.  This definitely caused me to reflect on whether  or not I was truly grateful; giving me a challenge to look deep into myself at how gratitude, thankfulness or appreciation lives in my heart and my life.

Gratitude has been said to mold and shape the entire Christian life.  Martin Luther referred to gratitude as "The basic Christian attitude" and today it is still referred to as "the heart of the gospel." 

 
As each Christian believes they were created by a personal God, Christians are strongly encouraged to praise and give gratitude to their creator.  In Christian gratitude, God is seen as the selfless giver of all good things and because of this, there is a great sense of indebtedness that enables Christians to share a common bond, shaping all aspects of a follower’s life.  Gratitude in Christianity is an acknowledgment of God’s generosity that inspires Christians to shape their own thoughts and actions around such ideals.  Instead of simply a sentimental feeling, Christian gratitude is regarded as a virtue that shapes not only emotions and thoughts but actions and deeds as well.
 
According to theologian Jonathan Edwards, “Gratitude and thankfulness toward God are among the signs of true religion.”
 
Does my faith reflect thankfulness to my Lord?  Do I take all that was given to me for granted?
 
Edwards claimed that the "affection" of gratitude is one of the most accurate ways of finding the presence of God in a person’s life.
 
Those moments when the question, “Where is God?” comes to mind – is that due to my not truly reflecting on and embracing gratitude for being called by a Holy God to be his child?
 
Gratitude is an essential part of the act of worship and a part of every aspect of a worshiper’s life.  According to the Scriptures, all things come from God and because of this, gratitude is extremely important to the followers of the one true God.
 
The Scriptures are filled with the idea of gratitude. Two examples included in the psalms are "O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever," and "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart" (Ps. 30:12; Ps. 9:1).  Prayers often incorporate gratitude where the worshiper states that out of gratitude, "You shall love the Eternal, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might" (Deut. 6:5).
 
To be in worship, with a heart of gratitude opens my soul to connect ever so deeply with my Lord.
 
Embracing these concepts, scriptures and attitudes is the only way to truly understand gratitude, thankfulness, or appreciation through the eyes and heart of God.
 
Once you stop being selfish you are able to appreciate other people, especially to appreciate when they are attempting to be kind to you; then you can be truly grateful.  Once you take your eyes off of yourself and see through the eyes of God and his scriptures, you can understand how much he has already done for you, is continuing to do for you, and has planned for you through all of eternity.
 
Am I truly grateful? Do I realize the amazing grace my Lord has bestowed upon me – a grace that all he wants from me is my acceptance of his gift of grace, his love, and his forgiveness?  Is my heart filled with gratitude and the joy of his promises?
 
Gratitude, thankfulness, or appreciation.  How much is it really a part of my life?