Grateful For Gratitude

I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess, happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:10-13 MSG

Gratitude is a choice that improves your perspective in seasons of prosperity or problem. 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

Do everything without complaining and arguing. Philippians 2:14 NLT 

X + (-Y) = Z or 10 + (-10) = 0  

X - (-Y) = Z or 10 - (-10) = 20

A complaining life is a discontented life!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 ESV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 ESV

It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Luke 17:11-13 MSG

He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. Luke 17:14 NLT

One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough, and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16 MSG

Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.” Luke 17:17-19 MSG

Blessed people are not always grateful, but grateful people are always blessed. 

The power of gratitude is found in it’s ability to connect the graced with both the gift, and the giver.

Complacency, comparison and complaining, will all cause you to miss deep connection with Jesus.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28 ESV 

Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them. John 6:11 ESV

And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. John 11:41 ESV

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks… Luke 22:17 ESV