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Thankful, Grateful, Blessed – this little saying is such a trending phrase. People just love it! It goes perfect with the autumn season of gratitude. I think it’s also a desire of so many people to live in the stance of thanksgiving.
And living in a stance of thanksgiving is a choice – it’s a way of life anyone can foster. While this is not Scripture, nor is Thanksgiving a Christian holiday, both are reminiscent of God as there is so much to give thanks for to Him.
We recently just wrapped up a fascinating Bible study in our Forevergreen membership on the virtue of gratitude and the challenging Story of the 10 Lepers from Matthew 17. And our Bible study now comes in three formats: audio, PDF, and web-based! These tools will really dig into growing a more thankful heart.
We live in a world where the currency is “more.”
Desire is a common emotion that we all have to regularly combat. For when we live in desire, our eyes are fixated on what we want or need instead of all that we already have.
And why is that important? Well, when we have our eyes fixated on what we want or need, then our hearts and minds are preoccupied with fulfilling that desire.
On the other hand, when we live in a stance of looking at how much we already have, then we open up our minds and hearts to allow more room for God to move in our lives. Rather than crowded hearts, we instead have created an environment where God’s Spirit thrives.
Gratitude is a very good thing for us. It’s a cleansing agent. It helps put things into perspective. Because when we walk with God, there is so much to be thankful for.
God’s presence in our lives brings amazing things, like love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. And the world cannot give these fruit, only shadows or mirages of them.
So in this season of thankfulness, I challenge you to take on the stance of choosing gratitude and watch and see what God does through it. Stay committed to not seeing everything through rose color glasses, but true deep gratitude for all that God has done and is doing in your life.
And to help you take on a more thankful attitude, I have provided you a free lettering sheet to help you learn how to letter grateful, thankful, blessed.
As you practice your lettering sheet, actively invite the Holy Spirit into your time. Make this a holy act as you use it as a prayer time spent with the Creator.