The Spiritual Business of Gratefulness Building

Gratefulness. As children of God, we are called to a heart of gratefulness in our daily lives. In fact, the Bible says to “be grateful in all things”. Sometimes, in all of the business of life and with the worry that can creep into it, it is tough to maintain a heart of gratefulness. We forget that we have so much to be grateful for all around us. We forget to reflect on what we do have.

Fortunately, gratefulness is like a muscle, a spiritual muscle. If we use it and flex it, if we build it up; it grows. Our gratefulness might atrophy from time to time, but as we prayerfully invite God into the process, we can enlarge our gratefulness muscle again. With Him, we can work to build it back up.

As families, we can exercise our gratefulness muscle together. We can make it a habit to look for the good in our circumstances. We can point out the positive to each other and about each other. What if we were intentional about saying thank you to God and others for every good detail, no matter how small? What if we gave “thanks in all circumstances” as many Bible verses call us to do? What if we decided to give thanks even when, on the surface, things appeared unfavorable or felt tough?

Giving thanks despite our circumstances stretches us even more toward spiritual maturity. As we practice being thankful and are more intentional about growing a grateful heart, we can watch for gratefulness’s muscle to move and change us. The power that gratefulness has to change our outlook and walk with God is great and helps give shape to a closer relationship with Him. That’s another thing for which to be grateful!!

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18