You’ve probably heard it said before or something similar:
Gratitude is the best attitude!
It’s a catchy phrase, but have you ever stopped to really ponder its truth? How many times have we as believers actually considered just how much gratitude has an affect on our lives? Have you taken the time to truly consider how much gratitude touches the heart of the Father? In today’s message, I’d like to encourage you with a simple principle that has carried many of God’s people into blessings unimaginable—including myself! It is when you humbly learn to embrace and adopt an attitude of gratitude that you will see doors of blessings and breakthrough swing wide open on your behalf!
In this season and beyond, it’s time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude!
Defining Gratitude
Grateful – Being deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received.
Let’s start by unraveling what it means to cultivate gratitude. It’s more than just saying “thank you” or counting your blessings; it’s about adopting a mindset of appreciation for every aspect of life, both big and small. It’s about recognizing the good that surrounds you, even in the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainties. When we shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, something beautiful happens. Miracles take place. It’s not about ignoring the struggles we face, but rather choosing to see the good in the midst of the bad. Gratitude also unlocks blessings and breakthrough in our lives. The Hebrew term for gratitude is “hakarat ha’tov”, which translates to recognizing the good. As we begin to recognize the good in even the smallest ways, it will lead us to noticing the good in other areas of our lives. Gratitude affirms and has a way of multiplying. As we profess gratitude, we find even more reasons to be thankful. Gratitude causes you to elevate in ways unimaginable!
The Gratitude Spectrum
There are many qualities that distinguish a grateful person from an ungrateful one. Let’s explore those qualities of both and consider where we might fall on this spectrum:
A grateful person exudes happiness, not because their life is perfect, but because they choose to focus on the blessings rather than the burdens. Their joy is infectious, uplifting those around them. Instead of dwelling on what they lack, a grateful person embraces the abundance in their life and makes the most of every opportunity. A grateful person acknowledges the imperfections and uncertainties of life but chooses to find joy and beauty amidst the chaos. From big gestures to the smallest acts of kindness, a grateful person says “thank you” with appreciation. According to Philippians 4:11, a grateful person finds contentment in every season of life. They recognize that true fulfillment comes from within rather than external circumstances. Grateful are individuals also more likely to overcome obstacles and achieve success. Grateful people even experience fewer health issues and higher energy levels.
On the other hand…
An ungrateful person fixates on what’s wrong with their life while overlooking the blessings that surround them. Their conversation is seasoned with complaints and discontentment. When faced with challenges, an ungrateful person adopts a victim mentality, believing that the world is against them.
Take a Moment of Reflection…
Pause for a moment and honestly evaluate where you stand on the spectrum of gratitude. Are you cultivating an attitude of thankfulness in your daily life, or are you allowing negativity to overshadow your blessings? If you find yourself veering towards the path of ungratefulness, I encourage you to take your heart to the Father. It’s never too late to realign and cultivate a spirit of gratitude. Start by bringing your heart before the Lord in repentance, acknowledging any areas where you’ve allowed ingratitude to take root.
Rising Above
In our daily lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of challenges and setbacks. From financial woes to health concerns, and everything in between, life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect it. In moments like these, it’s crucial to remember the incredible power of worship and gratitude to the Lord.
When you praise and worship the Lord, and remain in Him with a grateful heart, you are able to transcend your earthly circumstances no matter what they may look like or how discouraging they may seem. It doesn’t matter the kind of place that you’re in physically, emotionally, or spiritually; your gratitude and thankfulness can turn things around! You may have been complaining about your situation; your heart may be engulfed in bitterness; or perhaps you have experienced a place of feeling stuck and stagnant. Don’t allow feelings of bitterness, depression, anger, or worry to halt and hinder your praises unto the Lord. For the Bible instructs us to submit to the will of God by giving Him thanks in all circumstances, [1 Thessalonians 5:18].
Today’s message holds a simple yet profound truth: gratitude and thankfulness are keys that unlock doors to the supernatural. Why does gratitude hold such power? Why does it have the ability to open doors that seemed firmly shut? I believe it’s because gratitude is a language that speaks directly to the heart of the Father. When we express gratitude, we’re acknowledging the abundance of blessings that have been bestowed upon us, and in return, we invite more blessings into our lives. In this season, it’s crucial that we cultivate hearts overflowing with gratitude and free from complaint. When we approach life with a spirit of thankfulness, we create space for the supernatural to manifest in our midst.
Too often, we fall into the trap of entitlement, expecting blessings to rain down upon us without recognizing the source from which they flow. But true abundance comes not from a spirit of entitlement, but from a heart of humility and thankfulness. The words of Psalm 150 tells us this: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Even the rocks cry out in praise to Him! When we express our gratitude and love for the Lord, we align ourselves with the rhythm of Heaven, tapping into blessings and breakthrough!
Cultivating Gratitude
So how can we cultivate an attitude of gratitude in our daily lives? How do we maintain a posture of gratitude in a world filled with distractions and challenges? It starts with a simple shift in perspective. Instead of dwelling on what’s going wrong, challenge yourself to find something to be thankful for in every situation. There’s a shift in the atmosphere that happens when you begin to pray to the Lord and give Him the glory in all things. Gratitude is one of the virtues that can open the portals of Heaven. God will inhabit your praise [Psalm 22:3] and will give you peace that surpasses all understanding [Philippians 4:7].
Keep a gratitude journal where you can jot down things you’re grateful for each day, no matter how small they may seem. Make a conscious choice to focus on the good, even in the midst of adversity. Practice being mindful of the goodness of God, allowing yourself to fully appreciate the beauty of the present moment. Share your gratitude with those around you, whether it’s through a heartfelt thank you or a random act of kindness. As you sow seeds of gratitude, you’ll reap a harvest of abundance beyond measure.
Let your gratitude be contagious!
Endless Possibilities
Remember that gratitude isn’t just a fleeting emotion; it should be a lifestyle for every believer. As you cultivate a spirit of gratitude, you will experience contentment and fulfillment that only comes from living a life overflowing with thanks. In this season and beyond, I encourage you to embrace this principle of gratitude. Let it be your guiding light in the darkest of times and your beacon of hope in the midst of uncertainty. Trust in its ability to open doors and bring forth breakthroughs in your life. When you cultivate an attitude of gratitude, the possibilities in the Lord are truly limitless!
Amen.
If you want to work closely with Lenika Scott, you can do so by joining The Inner Circle Coaching http://@www.lenikascott.com/innercircle
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Blessings,
Lenika Scott