The Benefits of Being Grateful

    We are learning the importance of teaching ourselves to FEEL grateful. God grants us such abundance each day and He simply wants us to acknowledge His generosity and receive it with gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise.

    If you are still struggling with feeling grateful, I would like you to consider these seven points that I have adapted from an online article (by Debbie McDaniel, Fresh Day Ahead), and I have also added verses for each point.

THE POWER OF A GRATEFUL HEART - SEVEN THINGS IT CAN DO:

It gets our eyes off ourselves, and helps us to focus on God (Galatians 2:20, Luke 9:23)

It reminds us we’re not in control, but we serve a Mighty God who is. It keeps us in a place of humility and dependency on Him, as we recognize how much we need Him (Psalm 16:8; 113:1-9; 121:1-2; 147:4-5, Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 Peter 5:6) 

It takes our attention off of our problems and helps us, instead, to reflect on and remember the goodness of His many blessings; it helps us to recognize we have so much to be thankful for (Psalm 68:19, Lamentations 3:22-23, 1 Peter 5:7) 

It reminds us that God is the Giver of all good gifts. We are never intended to be fully self-sufficient in this life. [Even Solomon in all his glory, with all his wealth, still desperately needed God!] A grateful heart reminds us that ultimately God is our Provider, that all blessings and gifts are graciously given to us by His hand (Acts 17:25, Matthew 6:8, 11, 25-34; 7:7-11) 

A heart of gratitude leaves no room for complaining; for it is impossible to be truly thankful and be filled with negativity and ungratefulness at the same time (1 Corinthians 10:7-12, Philippians 2:14-15, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) 

It makes the enemy flee.  Our praises and thanksgiving will guard us from darkness (Colossian 4:2, Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Peter 5:8-9)

It allows our spirit to be refreshed and renewed in Him. God loves to give good gifts to His children. He delights  in our thankfulness and blesses those who give honour and gratitude to Him (Isaiah 30:18; 40:28-31, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 2:6-7)

    We, as Christians, get to be called “the children of God”!! He has granted us abundant blesses both physically and spiritually!! We have hope beyond this life if we work at purifying our hearts through gratitude and thanksgiving (1 John 3:1-3)! Heaven is worth every effort!!

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Hebrews 12:28 NKJV) 

From wherever you are right now - BEGIN!