Recently, I retired after working in a profession for forty-eight years. This retirement was not my idea. The company offered early retirement, so I decided to take it. I loved my job. The people I worked with were family. My customers were the best.
My first week at home was very overwhelming. The thoughts running through my mind caused me to doubt my decision. On the third day, I was writing in my journal, and I started listing all the things I was grateful for. My home, family, church, friends, and Jesus…
I wrote so many things down, but I still felt empty. That afternoon, I picked up a retirement gift. It was a devotional about a year of gratitude. I felt the Holy Spirit impress upon me that “gratitude” was the answer to the warfare going on in my mind. I decided I would continue to thank God for all things every day.
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and Prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Gratitude is the act of feeling and communicating appreciation for everything in your life, including the circumstances. Gratitude allows us to cherish our present in ways that make us feel in abundance rather than deprived. Gratitude helps us get closer to God by recognizing all the blessings in our lives. Gratitude will lift our hearts and spirits.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:4-8 (ESV)
What is the difference between thanksgiving and gratitude? Thankfulness is an emotion; gratitude is an attitude of appreciation under any circumstance. Gratitude means expressing thankfulness and being appreciative of life every day. We must choose to walk daily in a life of gratitude regardless of what happens daily.
Patti League
Lean into Jesus Ministries
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