Gratitude
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
-Psalm 100:4
One of the most beautiful attributes that can be found in a person is gratitude. When a person shows appreciation for something and means it from the heart, it undeniably provokes much more from the giver.
Real gratitude goes far deeper than lip profession. It comes from right from the depths of the heart.
Slippery Slope
The more we concentrate on our problems, the more threatening they become, and the more sullen we get. Murmuring sets in fast, and then it becomes too easy to slip down the slope of ingratitude.
Ungrateful people pass on the message of utter dissatisfaction, no matter how great a gift; or how much of a sacrifice was given to them, born from a misplaced sense of entitlement. It’s impossible to have any joy in this state.
Unfortunately, many of us are either concious or unconcious carriers of the attitude. Whichever the case, we have to do away with it, and fast.
Give Praise
Did you know that praise is a weapon against the arrows of discouragement? It is the victory attitude! When you count your blessings; meditate on God’s past faithfulness and deliverance both in your life and in the lives of others; you begin to understand how tiny those problems really are before the Almighty God you serve.
It works as surely and quickly as a splash of cool water on a hot day. All present challenges suddenly pale. If God could do these things before, what makes you think He wouldn’t do it again? Praise gives you new eyes. We find that sadness, fear, and doubt vanish away like smoke.
You would never feel good if someone you are steadily providing for returns to you every time; grumbling and asking for more without a single word of thanks on their lips.
Praise gladens the heart of the Father. It provokes Him to do more for us. He is worthy of all our praises. King David has his Psalms full of them; and we should have our hearts full of them too. Let His praise lay heavy on your breath.
On the other hand, we must learn to show appreciation to people. Blessings come from God; yes, but He rarely ever descends from heaven to bring them to anyone. He blesses through the hands of people. Refusing to appreciate them borders on hypocrisy.
It’s high time we returned to the basics. Let gratitude be your attitude. Make it a habit to thank God every step of the way. King Jehoshaphat and his people praised, and God turned the enemy armies against themselves! Paul and Silas praised, and their chains fell off like feathers!
Praise is spiritual intelligence. Whether it’s all good or it’s not quite right yet, praise Him. On the mountain and in the valley, praise Him. And watch Him turn things around like you never even imagined.
