1Thes.5v18: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
How do you develop an attitude of gratitude? This is what we are set to understand in this lesson today and I pray that you will be greatly blessed. God’s mind and purpose is for us to be grateful in whatsoever situation we find ourselves. This is why he says you should be thankful for everything in 1Thess.5v18. So how can we cultivate this habit or disposition of being thankful no matter the situation of life? Heb.13v15
HOW TO DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
- Find something to be grateful for. From experience, it’s easier to find faults than to find something to be grateful for. It’s easier to complain than to commend! It’s easier to grumble than to show gratitude! It’s easier to criticize than to compliment! But if you will truly develop the attitude of gratitude, you need to deliberately find something to be grateful for and the truth of the matter is that there is always something to be grateful for if you will look inwards and if you are thoughtful enough. So it’s time to set our priorities right. Make up your mind from today that you will be positive instead of being negative because who you are determines what you see (Ps.34v1-2; Philip.1v3-5). So to start off, what are you grateful for today?
- By keeping a Gratitude journal. A Gratitude journal is like a book of testimonies or things you are grateful for. It’s a chronicle of what the Lord has done for you. It’s a compilation of the deeds/doings of God in your life. This is a powerful means of developing an attitude of gratitude. It’s a habit that can also help you too. So why not start today? Begin to note or jot down in your diary your testimonies, victories, or memories of the deeds of the Lord in your life (Ps.66v16). Writing things down like this helps you not to forget what God has done and it also helps you to see things in their proper perspective. And the good thing about a Gratitude Journal is that whenever you are down and you start looking through your journal, it can help you to get back on track with your gratitude to God. My dear reader, I charge you today to cultivate the habit of keeping a Gratitude Journal because it will help you to thank God better.
Other Scriptural References: (Ps.106v13; Hab.2v2; 1Cor.1v4; Eph.5v20; Phil.2v17; 2Cor.6v10; Ps.145v1-2).
Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, thank you for helping me to imbibe the spirit of gratitude as a lifestyle in Jesus name, amen.
CONFESSION: I commit myself to a life of gratitude in all things. I choose to be positive and not negative. I choose to be hopeful and not hopeless. I choose to look at things from the mirror of God’s word. I receive strength and grace to maintain this new attitude as a permanent lifestyle in Jesus name, amen. Glory be to God; I choose gratitude over grumbling!
Yemi Adeoti is a pastor, teacher, life coach and mentor & also a prolific writer.
I receive the strength and grace to keep the attitude of thanksgiving, I refused to be overwhelmed with the cares of this world, my heart is fixed on YOU Lord.