#write31days: What is Gratitude?

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This past week, we took a look at what contentment is and what it isn’t. This week, we are going to dig deep into gratitude. You’ve probably heard it said that “gratitude changes everything.” But why? Why should it matter if we’re grateful or not? Well, friends, when we decide to be grateful, our circumstances may not change, but our hearts will. And isn’t that what matters the most? That our hearts would be pure and teachable? That we would be able to see the world as God does?

Webster defines gratitude as “the state of being grateful” or “a feeling of apppreciation.” When we allow ourselves to be grateful, we release negative feelings of entitlement, resentment, and jealousy. When we approach our lives with gratitude, we see the world as a place of abundance instead of a place of scarcity and lack. So today, let’s just take a moment to examine our hearts. Are you grateful? Or do you find yourself constantly in a state of want? Today, let’s decide to choose gratitude, and in turn, choose joy.