The Importance of Walking in Gratefulness

Gratitude is an attitude of the heart.

We tend to use the words "grateful and thankful" interchangeably, but there is a notable difference between the two that was highlighted to me in an article I read recently. Interestingly, the article had nothing to do with Christianity, but rather it was about workplace relations. I found it really enlightening and I like the way the author broke the differences down. Here are some of the highlights I took away from it and the link to the full article is available below.

• Thankfulness is a response to an experience. We're thankful at certain moments in time.

• Gratefulness is a constant attitude of the heart; it's not situational.

• A consistent attitude of gratefulness creates a culture where people feel appreciated.

• Gratefulness helps us to connect with others.

• Gratefulness helps us to connect with something larger than ourselves.

• An attitude of gratefulness helps us see the good in others and in life.

Here's the article:

https://www.inspirus.com/blog/the-difference-between-gratitude-and-thankfulness/#:~:text=Because%20gratitude%20is%20an%20overall,%2C%20senior%20leaders%2C%20etc.)

We do know that God tells us to enter His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless His name (Psalm 100:4). Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Thanksgiving is definitely a part of our life's expression to God, but gratitude is the attitude of the heart that keeps us in a place of thanksgiving. We certainly need both expressions to live out an enjoyable life in this world.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, help me to have a consistent and intentional attitude of gratefulness and thanksgiving in my life. I realize that thanksgiving is an expression that you require of the Believer and we want you to always feel our thanks from the heart. Thank you for the very air we breathe and the life you have given us here in the earth. We are grateful for you and for the destiny you have designed us for, even if we're still seeking what that is, for we know that you see the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) and our lives are safely in your hands. In Jesus' name. Amen.