A few years ago, I started a gratitude practice. Somewhere I heard that practicing gratitude brings more peace and joy to a person, and I was in need of that. So, I started trying to record one thing I was grateful for each day. In recent months, my practice has become dull and routine, and I have actually missed a few days. Here is what I have learned, and I hope this encourages your gratitude practice.
Gratitude is easiest when all things are going the way I prefer. I, however, am in a tough season of life, and it almost feels like each week tests whether I can reach my goals while carrying additional weight and avoiding new obstacles. In this difficult season of life, I have learned that I have a very harmful tendency to focus on the negative parts of a situation or what I am lacking in a situation. My conversations start to center around whatever latest new hurdle has been thrown my way. Then, all the questions come. God, two hurricanes in ten days? Why do these teenagers eat so much and so frequently? God, why did this person get this disease? Why is this person so difficult?
I notice that when I focus so much on the struggles and difficulties in my life, I become discontented in general. When this state of general discontent continues for a bit, I find myself discontented with God. No, I don’t outright declare that I’m discontented. I’m not even consciously aware as it happens. I eventually just recognize that my prayers and my spiritual life just seem less passionate or less fervent and have become more intellectual and routine. The motivation for my spiritual life is my head and not my heart because my heart has been engulfed in discontent. This can lead to thinking I am righteous and in spiritual alignment when I am not.
In Matthew 19:16-24, we are presented with the account of a young man who believed he had done all the right things and was properly aligned with God. Yet, he asked Jesus, What good deed must I do to have eternal life? In the account, Jesus provides requirements, and the young man says he’s done them all. He declared he was in proper alignment. He knew he had kept all the commandments but wanted an assurance of the afterlife from Jesus. So, he essentially asked, What else do I need to do to make sure I have eternal life. Jesus gave one last response, Go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. Verse 22 sadly recounts that the young man went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. You might be wondering what this story has to do with being grateful. The answer comes in a series of questions that hit me like rapid-fire gut punches-- How valuable is what Jesus offers us? Is it more valuable than all we might ever give up? Does the gift of a relationship with God and eternal life overcome every loss, act of self-denial, moment of suffering, hardship, or sacrifice of time that I might give?
The easy answer is, “Of course! Jesus and eternal life are more valuable than everything!” I, however, live in the land of overanalysis, and such questions can never just be left at my first answer. So, these questions led me to dig deeper and write down each thing Jesus offers me. Sadly, it took a bit of time to shift my focus from the basic answer of eternal life and a relationship with God. As I sat and meditated on those questions, something happened. The shift in focus finally occurred and helped me to expand my focus on who God is in this season of my life. Certainly, God is the same and has never changed, but in the difficult times, I don’t have a panoramic view of God. This exercise produced reasons to be grateful and worship God. The difficulties of life are still there, but my grateful heart leads me to praise and worship God for what He has already given me. Moreover, it reminds me of how unworthy I truly am and helps me to see the Father’s love for me all the more clearly.
So, here’s my challenge to you: take some time and answer those questions for yourself. Write down what Jesus offers you. Consider the value of each item on your list. Maybe even consider every sacrifice you have made for the Father. Don’t weigh these out as a quid pro quo exchange, but simply consider the value of a relationship with the Father in comparison to the cost of following Jesus. I pray that you experience for yourself gratitude as a form of worship. Blessings!
