Friday 26 November 2021
Somewhere in the North Carolina Mountains
An Attitude of Gratitude
Part 3 - What can you do about unhappiness?
I’ve come to the conclusion that not only can you do something about it, but that there is way to vaccinate yourself against unhappiness. There is a way to both cure and prevent unhappiness. There is a way to be happy under ALL circumstances.
Thankfulness and Gratitude in Scripture
I want to turn to scripture for a moment. The importance of thankfulness and gratefulness is throughout the scripture. Thanksgiving and gratitude are foundational for covenant life in the Old Testament. The law rested upon gratitude for God's redeeming work.
God said to Israel through Moses, "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." Exodus 20:2
Deuteronomy 5:6 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
Leviticus 26:13 “I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.”
Psalm 81:10 “I, the LORD, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.”
What was the key thing for the Israelites, in regards to God’s deliverance of them as a people, the thing that they failed at, and then succeeded at, and then failed, then succeeded, etc… The key thing was to be grateful, to remember to remember.
In the Old Testament, God called his people to remember three things:
Who God is.
What God has done for them.
Who they are.
This is no different today. God wants you to know who He is, what he has done, and who you are.
In the New Testament the vocabulary for thanksgiving and gratitude expands and expressions increase. Thanksgiving is a motive for Christian life and conduct, a general attitude toward both the blessings and trials of life, a central component of prayer, and the context for the proper use of material things.
Thanksgiving most often occurs in prayer over a meal or receiving sustenance. (Matt 15:36 ; Mark 8:6 ; John 6:11 John 6:23 )
At the last supper ( Matt 26:27 ; Mark 14:23 ; Luke 22:17 Luke 22:19 ).
The crowds that surrounded Jesus in John 6:10-27 gobbled up the bread Jesus multiplied and enjoyed his miracles... without expressing gratitude.
Paul thanked God for his final meal on the storm-battered boat that took him to Malta ( Acts 27:35 ). Jesus thanked the Father for hearing his prayer that God hide his secrets from the wise and reveal them to children ( Matt 11:25 ; Luke 10:21 ) and to raise Lazarus ( John 11:41 ). In the worship scenes of Revelation, the heavenly hosts give thanks to God for creating all things ( 4:9-11 ) as well as redeeming multitudes of humanity ( 5:9-14 ).
The Gospels introduce, and the Epistles develop the concept that gratitude for God's deliverance in Christ characterizes the believer. When a sinful woman interrupted a dinner party to anoint Jesus with precious perfume, Jesus told his shocked host that her action sprang from gratitude for forgiveness ( Luke 7:40-47 ). When Jesus healed ten lepers as they walked to the temple, he marveled aloud that only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank him ( Luke 7:11-19 ).
A general attitude of thanksgiving in both the trials and blessings of life distinguishes the Christian. Paul enjoins his churches to give thanks for all things, in all circumstances ( Eph 5:20 ; 1 Thess 5:18 ), even in suffering ( Rom 5:3-5 ; James 1:1-4 ), and to do everything in the name of Jesus out of a spirit of gratitude ( Col 3:17 ). On the other hand, thanklessness marks godless and wicked men who suppress the truth about God ( Rom 1:18-21 ).
Thanksgiving is a central component of prayer. Believers retain joy and peace especially when, "in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving [they] present their requests to God" ( Php 4:6-7 ).
He prays that his churches will be thankful ( Col 1:12 ), and gives thanks in turn for answered prayer, especially for the extension of the gospel and the strength of his churches ( 2 Cor 4:15 ). Paul begins most of his letters (Galatians, 1 Timothy, and Titus being the exceptions) with expressions of thanksgiving to God for the church or individual to which he writes. The thanksgiving usually leads to a prayer, and the two together ordinarily introduce some of Paul's themes for the letter. For example, Paul thanks God for the faith of the Romans ( 1:8 ), for his grace given to the Corinthians so that they lack no spiritual gift ( 1 Cor 1:4-7 ), and for the Philippians' partnership in the gospel ( 1:3-5 ; see also 1 Thess 1:2-3 ; 2 Thess 1:3-4 ).
Colossians 2:7 "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."
Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus".
How To Be Happy
Happiness is a spiritual battle. The absence of gratitude changes everything. The presence of gratitude changes everything.
Gratitude is a tool. You can use it to repair things.
Gratitude is a shield. It can protect you.
Gratitude is a multiplier. It can help you experience more.
Gratitude is an amplifier. It can help you experience greater things.
Gratitude is a connector. It connects us to each other, to reality, to the world, to the presence of God in the world, to HIS Kingdom.
You cannot be grateful and unhappy.
Happiness does not make you grateful. Gratefulness makes you happy.
Be Grateful. It will make you happy.
I hope I have convinced you of the power of gratitude and the need to “Remember to Remember.” It can change your life, for the better, no matter your circumstances. If you have come this far, I have one more letter coming. Part 4 will be how to practice thankfulness and gratitude.
JW
Up Next, Part 4 - How to practice thankfulness and gratitude.