Gratitude is a quality that profoundly transforms and influences our lives. However, it is not a given to be grateful. We often see this in our children—they’re sometimes surprised when we remind them to say “thank you.” It seems they are astonished that certain things even warrant gratitude.
In contrast, I think of the stories my grandparents told of their experience in labor camps in Russia, where they at times had nothing to eat. Their appreciation for food was immense. No leftovers were thrown away. Is it necessary to experience hardship to learn gratitude? I believe all of us have faced difficult times and, in the aftermath, felt a deep sense of thankfulness when we came through the crisis.
Yet gratitude should not depend on external circumstances. That’s the mindset of people who don’t know God. They seek fulfillment and happiness in worldly things. But such things cannot produce lasting contentment, gratitude, and genuine joy. The Bible offers a different perspective—one that isn’t tied to our circumstances, but one that can be an ongoing reality in our lives.
Gratitude is a decision, not a result!
The Bible repeatedly challenges us to be thankful. What’s important is to consider who made these calls to gratitude and what circumstances they were in. Then it becomes obvious how different the biblical principle is from the human perspective.
The Apostle Paul, for example, didn’t have a positive outlook on life because everything was going well for him. Instead, he intentionally chose to be thankful.
But why is gratitude good and helpful? The fascinating thing is that gratitude has a powerful impact on our lives. There are clear connections and links between gratitude and our health. Thankful people have stronger immune systems, sleep better, and experience greater well-being. They feel less stress and have deeper relationships with others.
God, as our Creator, knows what is good for us. A life marked by gratitude leads to joy and contentment. That’s why Paul writes:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Of course, life is always a struggle. I often think of Peter. He had the opportunity to walk on water. Jesus allowed his request, and Peter was able to experience something incredible. But instead of concentrating on Jesus and walking toward Him, he began to look at the circumstances around him—and that’s when he started sinking.
Jesus also calls us to look beyond the problems of our time and fix our eyes on Him. Yet we are also at risk of being easily distracted. A brother in our congregation often repeats the phrase:
“Gratitude keeps you from drifting and praising God is uplifting.”
We need a whole lot more gratitude—to give us stability in life, and praise and worship that glorifies our Lord and Savior. Gratitude fills our hearts with genuine, deep joy.
As one brother recently shared in a sermon:
“If we keep reminding ourselves how we have been bought at a high price, it cannot leave us unaffected.”
For this reason, Paul, too, reminded the church in Corinth to fix their eyes on Jesus. That is our joy, our thankfulness, and our eternal hope—regardless of the situation.
“I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge” (1 Corinthians 1:4–5).
Eugen Igel
Kirchberg, Germany
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