BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE FOR THANKFULNESS AND GRATITUDE

Thankfulness and gratitude, in human beings, are considered, the best of the human virtues…rightly so. It is also a fact that, such virtues do not come naturally to us. Also, they are not to be found all too common, in human beings…as they should normally be. When something, as virtuous and good as the above traits, doesn’t come naturally to us; and that, they are not to be found as commonly among us, as they should be – it speaks volumes about us, as human beings.

The Bible calls our heart in not so flattering words…
– “9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
Hence, thankfulness and gratitude are both unnatural and uncommon among human beings.

The Bible, which is the written Word of God, gives us, the Christians, much needed perspective, as to why we should be thankful and grateful, to our LORD. Thankfulness and gratitude are firmly emphasised because, they are foundational bricks for the Christian life. John Piper sums it up well for us…
– “…true gratitude is not an exertion of the will; it’s an overflow of a sense of being treated better than you deserve.”

Here under a few scripture portions that will help us see THANKFULNESS and GRATITUDE in its proper and rightful perspective.
– “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
– “Enter his gates with THANKSGIVING and his courts with praise; give THANKS to him and praise his name.” – Psalm 100:4
– “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
– “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be THANKFUL.” – Colossians 3:15
– “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving THANKS to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17

May we learn to see what we have, and not what we need. When we do so, thankfulness and gratitude will surely overflow from our hearts, naturally. May the LORD Jesus, enable us to be His disciples, who are brimming with thankfulness and gratitude.