I write this piece with a grateful heart, cos left for me I wouldn’t have come to this very stage of my life if it hadn’t been for the grace of God and the few important personalities I got to know and those who are always there for me, watching me grow. Personally, I don’t joke with being grateful and expressing it, I could say thank you a hundred times when people do stuffs for me because literally no one apart from my parents is under any obligation to show me kindness. Any little form of kindness goes deep down my heart cos I am not entitled to anybody’s.
And of course we all know what gratitude is. Let me briefly give a few definitions. GRATITUDE is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness (Oxford Dictionary). GRATITUDE could also mean a strong feeling of appreciation to someone or something for what the person has done to help you (American Dictionary). GRATITUDE is a positive emotion that involves being thankful and appreciative and is associated with several mental and physical health benefits. When you experience gratitude, you feel grateful for something or someone in your life and respond with feelings of kindness, warmth, and other forms of generosity.
Going by these definitions there’s something that’s common, which is APPRECIATION.
When was the last time you thanked God for all the goodness of life, and sound health. When was the last time you just honored God, thanking him without uttering a need? When was the last time you just sit on the couch and say thank you to God for the gift of life. You should by now know the answers to these questions. Imagine doing someone a favor and the person refuses to say thank you, how would you feel? This is same thing as you and God. God doesn’t really have to do something very special in your life before you can say thank you.
I personally don’t joke with being grateful and expressing it, I could say thank you a hundred times when people do stuffs for me because literally no one apart from my parents is under any obligation to show me kindness. Gratitude opens door for more kindness, more favours and many more blessings. Learn how to honor, learn how to say thank you, learn how to appreciate.
Psalms 7:17 says; I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. God doesn’t have to bless you before you can honour him.
Psalms 9:1 says; I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Let me tell you a secret I discovered. There are some pressing issues in life that prayers can not solve, you may be praying and fasting to no avail. Not knowing that the weapon God wants you to use for that your wish to be granted is to honor him, singing praises to him, to worship him in truth and in spirit.
Psalms 100: 4-5 says; Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. God takes gratitude as prove of maturity and responsibility from a believer. I’ve read and also been told severally about the story of Jesus and the ten lepers. That bible story has really taught me alot, that God cherishes gratitude. Out of all the ten lepers only one gave thanks to God, only one went back to say thank you and his healing was made perfect. Gratitude is like a magnet that attracts blessings to you, unmerited favors. And it is God’s will that we learn to be grateful in every situation we find ourselves.
Learn how to honor.
Learn how to appreciate.
Learn how to say thank you.
Just take a few minutes and appreciate God for all that he has done in your life. Remain blessed.