Gratitude

Grumbling: that low tenor rumble that leaks past barely parted lips and raises its foul opposition to a good God. I put that strongly, I know. But God takes grumbling seriously and gives us warning against partaking in it. So, how do we stay away from its habit-forming grip? By being grateful. Gratitude dissolves the rusty coating of our complaints and leaves us with a bright, steely sheen. As a child of God, the Father’s heart-intention for you is for your good. For this you can be grateful. God brought you into your current situation and he will bring you out. He will lead you through your desert to your promised land. Gratitude is a far better fit for you than grumbling.

Paul was a grateful man; he had an attitude of gratitude, especially toward the saints. Just read the first few verses of many of his epistles and you will hear the wise apostle of Christ encouraging the hearts of his readers with his words of overflowing gratitude for them. Gratitude can be a two-way street, mind you; I can always find at least one thing in a person that makes me grateful for them. But let’s head the other way down the street and ask ourselves, does my life evoke thankfulness or desperation and pleading in the prayers of others? Ask my wife and she’d probably say both; but hopefully she feels more gratitude than “saditude”. (Yes, I just made that word up. I think I see her rolling her eyes and hear her praying for me now.)

It’s difficult to expound on this verse. What more can be said? When we speak, may our words be gracious. Where we walk, may we bring joy. And with our hands, may we work the work of grace. May all that we do flow from the character of who Jesus is and have as its constant companion a heart overflowing with thanksgiving. It’s only because of the one we represent — Jesus — that we are able to send the fruit of our lips, our praise and thanksgiving, heaven bound.

An online article about gratitude from Psychology Today states that “research shows gratitude is a strong way to reduce anxiety.” ² In this article from July of 2020, gratitude is bulleted as helping to reduce repetitive negative thinking: you know, that tendency to play out stressful scenarios over and over in one’s mind. And this article from Psychology Today is not the only one making this claim; there are thousands of others. But the ultimate authoritative source of Scripture offers us this insight: prayer with gratitude brings us peace from God. When we are constructing a house, we begin with the foundation. When we are deconstructing anxiety, we begin with prayer and go from there. And don’t forget gratitude. As David sang, we sing, “he [God] has been good to me.” ³ He’s not about to stop his goodness now.

Our scripture for today was written in the context of worship — of singing and the making of music in our hearts to the Lord and to one another. Ingratitude weighs down our hearts and chokes out our song like an invasive weed. But gratitude helps us to fly, and a heart in flight is a heart that soars and sings. So, what do we give thanks for? That trial? You know, the one that is shaping you into the character and likeness of Christ. How about the temptation? That would be the one that is teaching you your weakness and your need for reliance upon your Savior. Gratitude has the power to shift us from the dark and stuffy cellars of negativity to the vast openness and freedom of his goodness.