Is Gratitude A Remedy?
Joseph Stalin said ‘Gratitude is an illness suffered by dogs.’
Gratitude an illness? Stalin’s words give some insight into his character and twisted heart. Did you know that he was preparing for full-time service to the church in his younger days? He had a complicated upbringing. It makes me wonder what in the world happened to alter his course.
The Power of Thank You
I’m reading, Joyce Meyer’s newest book, The Power Of Thank You. She beautifully addresses the simplicity of being thankful and our need to embrace its power in our everyday lives. Be sure to enter the drawing for a copy by leaving a comment below.
She writes:
“I believe that as you experience the power of thank you, you will be amazed at the difference it makes in your life.” The Power of Thank You, Pg. 178
How can being thankful affect us? Is gratitude essential to our best living? God certainly says it’s important; like when the Israelites grumbled in the wilderness. They complained about everything—food, water, and each other. They missed being in Egypt as slaves under a cruel master, vocalizing their desire to return. Because of their attitude, God tells them they were unable to enter the Promised Land. They missed out on His promise of abundance because of their ungratefulness.
I never thought about the connection between complaining and unbelief. But there it is, clear as day. The opposite is also true—when we believe, we are grateful. We trust that God knows our needs and will provide.
Gratitude’s Power
Gratitude has the potential to change the chemistry in our brain. It impacts the way we think. When we can focus on the good things despite our situation, it keeps us from feeling discouraged and overwhelmed, bringing with it contentment and peace.
“...the more grateful we are, the less discontentment we will experience.” Joyce Meyer, The Power of Thank you, page 26
Gratitude Needs A Better Strategy
This truth has become more apparent the older I get. Maybe because I realize there is only so much I can do about situations in life. Rather than fret, I need a better strategy. It is realizing that God is bigger than anything I am going through and He has a purpose in every part. When I can be thankful for something, it can change everything.
When I can be thankful for something, it can change everything. #BookReview #JoyceMeyer The Power of Thank You Click To Tweet
Gratitude is a way of thanking God ahead of time even when I don’t see the end result yet. So, I begin by focusing on what is good no matter what the bad looks like.
Gratitude Adjusts Our Focus
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, says, In everything, give thanks. Notice he doesn’t say FOR everything. His words are packed with truth, a remedy for living with a grateful heart. In the midst of our circumstances, we can discover glimmers of gratitude by keeping our eyes focused on God’s character and goodness. In our humanity, we can begin to grumble when God’s answers either take too long or don’t look like what we envision. I can imagine this was at the heart of the Israelite struggle as they fled from 400 years of slavery in Egypt.
Paul goes on to say, rather than be anxious, to keep your mind on these things: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:6-8). This is the key to peace and gratitude.
Gratitude is the Key to #Contentment and Peace. How to be thankful in the midst of difficult times. Click To Tweet
Throughout God’s word, we see His mandate to REMEMBER. The people of Israel set up memorial stones to help them to recall God’s faithfulness so they could pass these stories on to the next generation. I think this call is to us as well. As we experience God’s provision, see the glimmers of gratitude within every situation, we can write them down and tell others. This exercise makes thanksgiving a daily practice—one that pleases God.
Grateful? Write it Down!
I keep a journal. It includes many things, but I am most thankful for when I write down how God speaks through His word, His answers to prayer, and my Philippians list of whatever is, in every situation. This has helped me to overcome many times of discouragement. Gratitude focuses the lens of our situation on the God-things. Writing them down helps me to remember His goodness. Joyce Meyer writes:
“Each day write something for which you are thankful for…when you feel discouraged or depressed, read your gratitude journal.” Joyce Meyer, The Power of Thank You, Pg. 53
A thankful heart pleases God who has given us every good thing. Gratitude fills the empty places of our souls so that contentment and peace can flourish.
So, I must disagree with Joseph Stalin. Gratitude is the farthest thing from an illness. I believe it is the remedy for every ailment we experience.
I must disagree with Joseph Stalin. #Gratitude is the farthest thing from an illness. It is the #remedy for every ailment we experience. Click To Tweet
Win a copy of Joyce Meyer’s Book and Journal
Do you want to incorporate more of a thankful heart into your everyday thinking? Share your thoughts about this post in the comments and be entered to win a copy of, The Power of Thank You, and the matching My Thankful Journal by Joyce Meyer (U.S. addresses only please. No PO Boxes).
#EnterToWin a copy: The Power of Thank you, and My Thankful Journal, by #JoyceMeyer. Leave a comment on my blog post at JeanneDoyon.com Click To Tweet
I am thankful for you!
Jeanne
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Thanks, Jeanne!
I hope you are well, Dave. Thank you for your visit today.
I believe gratitude is the very essence of our walk with Jesus. My friend, Janice, has lost all the toes on one foot, most of the toes on her other foot, she battles this problem year after year with shoes that don’t often fit properly even though they have been made from a mold of her feet. Her attitude of thankfulness in all circumstances, her determination to keep on keeping on is an example for all who know her.
Jan, Yes, a thankful spirit can make all the difference in how we take and view life. I’m sure you friend finds her circumstances challenging, but her light shines in the middle of it. This reminds me of the Apostle Paul being pressed on every side.
I am thankful for this blog post! I was encouraged to seek out God and thank HIM BEFORE something even happens. That is powerful, because when we do that, we can anticipate all possibilities, not just the desired outcome! That to me, is truly training our minds to seek out God and His purpose, not our own.
Thank you for your thoughts, Catherine. His plans for us are so much bigger and different than we can see. In the middle of the chaos, often we are just focused on HIM, His goodness, past faithfulness… this fuels our belief for what is coming, even when we can’t see through the fog of uncertainty.
Well said Ms. Jeanne. It’s when we finally come to realize that all things come from, or are allowed by, God that we can begin to develop a true heart of gratitude. Perhaps not taught to children as it was in our day, the words “please” and “thank you” create powerful connections, both between man and God. A most enjoyable and inspiring post. Thank you!
I do think thank you is a lost art, J.D. Thanks for your thoughts this morning. Your observation that gratitude comes from knowing that all things come from God, seems to show that this is why our thank-yous in this world have been lost. So many don’t want see His provision, or seek His help.
Thank you, Jeanne, for this very important reminder of gratefulness. I personally would not want to follow the way of the Israelites and miss the abundance of what God has promised for us. I find that when I can TRULY be thankful to God for something, contentment and joy are sure to follow. I love the idea of writing something for which we are thankful for each day, because there is always something! And I love thanking Him directly for it in prayer. I am so thankful for you Jeanne.
I am thankful for you too, Karen. We are sisters of the heart! Thanks for sharing your thoughts today.
Karen, Congratulations! You have won copies of both, The Power of Thank You, and the companion journal. Contact me with your mailing address and the publisher will send them right out to you.
Oh, that’s terrific! Thank you very much!