Every November I see people post daily about something they’re thankful for. I love to see the posts, but gratitude shouldn’t be seasonal. It’s actually a spiritual discipline that we need to incorporate into our daily lives as Christians. In its truest form, it is an act of selflessness because it acknowledges that someone other than ourselves is the source of things in our lives. It gives credit where credit is due while working to keep us humble. Gratitude is one of the best ways to acknowledge God’s work in our lives. Too many times we pray to ask God for things, yet stop to give Him thanks when He answers. In our home, we have made it a practice to stop what we’re doing, no matter where we are, and give thanks once a prayer has been answered.
In Luke 17:11-19 it says that Jesus was walking from Galilee to Jerusalem. As He was passing through Samaria, He came into a village where He was met by ten lepers who called out to Him for help. Jesus saw them and simply told them to go show themselves to the priest. As they were walking along, they realized they were healed. Nine continued on to show the priest and ran to their family. Verse 15-16 says, “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying and praising and honoring God with a loud voice; and he lay face downward at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. He was a Samaritan” (AMP). Jesus asked where the other nine were. Then he asked, “Was there no one found to return and to give thanks and praise to God, except this foreigner?” That question should challenge each of us to have the spiritual discipline of gratitude in our lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (AMP). It doesn’t matter what season we’re in or what our circumstances are; we must learn to be grateful. When we continually give God thanks, it changes our perspective and attitude. The more things we give thanks to God for, the more we find we have things to be grateful for. A grateful heart is the will of God because it keeps our eyes fixed on Him no matter the situation. What can you do starting today to incorporate this spiritual discipline into your life? How will you be held accountable to be like the one leper who returned to give thanks? Don’t let this be just another season of giving thanks. Use it to begin a lifestyle of gratitude.