Gratitude vs Ungratitude

This is WEEK 23 of the Character Development Series I am doing for 2012.  So glad you stopped by!   

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say “thank you?”  ~William A. Ward

Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture.  ~Kak Sri

Gratitude turns what we have into enough ~Unknown

Gratitude means: a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation

Synonyms for Gratitude: appreciation, thanks, acknowledgement
Antonyms for Gratitude: disregard, neglect

What the Bible says about Gratitude:
Psalm 118:24  This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 136:1   Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Psalm 50:23  The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
1 Thess 5:18  in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Examples From the Bible:
David: his gratitude and thanksgivings are recorded in the book of Psalms
1 of 10 lepers healed: Luke 17
Mary , the mother of Jesus: Luke 11-2
The woman who anointed Jesus feet:  Luke 7
Hannah, mother of Samuel: ( 1 sam 1-2)

The Example of Jesus to Us:
John 11:41  So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
Matt. 15:36  The Lord gave thanks to God before feeding more than four thousand people with seven loaves and a few small fishes.
Matt. 26:27-28 And before his crucifixion, Jesus took the cup at the Last Supper and again gave thanks to his Father.

Personal Thoughts and Application:
Gratitude is Key to having a positive outlook on life.  As a Christian, we have the ultimate reason to be thankful, and to find purpose and meaning in even difficult circumstances.  We are the children of God, loved and saved for all eternity with great promise of joy and eternal blessing.    If you believe in the sovereignty of God, then you know that ALL things are in his control.  The Bible tells you that He desires to provide good for us, to develop the character of Christ in us and to use us for His glory and purpose.  Even trials and sufferings have purpose when you are a Christian and you trust in God to be the mediator of your life.  God wants us to be thankful in ALL things.…that is easier said than done and requires a close, personal relationship with Him.  Through gratitude, we bring glory, praise and honor to Him!

Prayer For You:  May you go forth into each day, each trial, each circumstance and each opportunity with gratitude richly flowing from your heart because you know that ALL things in your life have purpose.  May your focus be to bring praise and glory to God by expressing your gratitude for his love and his bountiful blessings in your life.

Additional Reading: The Most Thankful People in the Bible: A Thanksgiving Top 10  http://wadeswalktowork.blogspot.com/2010/12/most-thankful-people-in-bible.html

Image Above: Image credit: misslina / 123RF Stock Photo