Gratitude in Grace: A Believers Perspective on Being Thankful
In a world often marked by hustle, bustle, and the relentless pursuit of success, it is easy to overlook the simple yet profound act of being thankful. I am generally a half-glass-full guy, but even the most positive people sometimes need to be reminded to be grateful. So today, I write for those with gratitude in bounty and those who can barely get out of bed — echoing the words of Henri Nouwen surrounding the transformative power of gratitude and the idea that it can be a deliberate and joyful discipline, even in challenging circumstances. “Gratitude goes beyond the ‘mine’ and ‘thine’ and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past, I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.”
The Theology of Gratitude:
Christianity teaches that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17); thus, gratitude is a natural response to God’s benevolence. The Apostle Paul reinforces this in his letter to the Thessalonians, urging them to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV). This call to gratitude, irrespective of circumstances, highlights the transformative power of acknowledging God’s sovereignty in every aspect of our lives.
The Bible is also replete with verses emphasizing the importance of gratitude. One such verse, Psalm 107:1 (NIV), declares, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Teaching us that gratitude is not just an expression of appreciation for what we have but a recognition of God’s enduring love and goodness.
The Bible teaches us to bring concerns and requests to God with thanksgiving, recognizing the importance of a grateful heart even during life’s challenges. Philippians 4:6–7 (New International Version)
addresses both those with gratitude in abundance and those struggling to find it. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
One of my favorite writers, Walter Brueggemann, says, “In the midst of the frantic voices of consumerism and competition, the Christian community must find its voice in the ancient refrain of gratitude, echoing the belief that there is enough for all, and more than enough in God’s abundance.”
Practicing gratitude is not limited to verbal expressions but also to a life committed to cultivating a heart of thankfulness. It is not just about counting blessings but acknowledging the source of those blessings — a gracious and loving God. As we heed the call to gratitude, let us echo the words of the psalmist: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” May our lives be a testament to the transformative power of gratitude, rooted in the unending grace of our Creator.
As we navigate the tapestry of our lives, let us be reminded that gratitude is not just a fleeting emotion but a deliberate choice — an acknowledgment of God’s grace at work in our lives. May this exploration of gratitude in grace serve as a reminder to approach each day with a heart full of thanksgiving. Let us be grateful not only for the blessings we can see but also for the grace that sustains us through the unseen trials. In this dance of gratitude and grace, we find a path to deeper spiritual fulfillment and a life enriched by the divine love that surrounds us.
Love and Peace,
Jeremi
