Why Gratitude?

Have you noticed that there are a lot of people walking around on this earth full of sour grapes? You know the kind; they gripe, moan, complain, they're discontent, put out, the glass is half empty (or empty), everyone's against them, they can't get a break, they are so NEGATIVE!!!. They wallow in the mire of self-pity like a pig in the mud.

They wonder why their personal relationships are bad. They wonder why no one at work likes them? They wonder why they are always in trouble with the boss. And you know, it's everyone elses fault. "If they wouldn't do such and so, I wouldn't have to..." I believe they call this the "Blame Game."

Even worse, there are bitter people. They are angry, hold a grudge for years, are unforgiving, surly, sarcastic, and "what did God ever do for me?"

Now we all go to those places from time to time. We all have moments of feeling sorry for ourselves, or that we were used and abused (which we may have), and life is just unfair. And it's unfair that life is so unfair. Yup, been there done that.

I have a friend, who when he finds himself going down that road, he laughs at himself and says, "Oh, poor little me. I better call a WAA-mbulance." I tell myself I need some cheese to go with my whine."

Sometimes, we are just going through a horrific trial. We are stressed, fretful, and full of anxiety and fear. We see no way out, and what good there is in our life has sunken down into an invisible hole. Sometimes, we have moments where God, or a person God uses, reminds us that with God, all things are possible. But still we continue worry and stress.

It's not enough to acknowledge that you're having a bad attitude. Because often after we recognize it, we tell ourselves we "have a right." Or "I'll give myself a day to wallow, then I'll get over it." Or "Someday I will forgive, but I just can't yet." And there is always the "I'll never forgive."

When you suggest to the chronically discontent that they ought to count their blessings or find something to be thankful for, they will act like you poked them in the eye with a sharp stick. They will declare to the whole earth that they have nothing in this world to be grateful for.

Well, I beg to differ.

Over the last two years I have had some very serious financial woes. Having lost three jobs in a row and not qualifying for unemployment, I had almost no income except for about $200 I made from cleaning someone's house. After losing the third job I became desperately frightened. I was struggling with mental health problems, and my car went kaput. I live in the country, so that made life doubly difficult. I guess you could say I had a break down. I lost it. But, thanks be to God, I did not lose it for good. I found gratitude.

I eventually found myself appreciating a few things. Thus, I began to make gratitude lists every week. And to keep accountable, I posted them on my blog, although I don't think anyone reads it. Finding things to be grateful for totally turned my perspective around. God helped me to focus and appreciate what I had. It began to change how I looked at everything. Here is how my gratitude lists began.

I am grateful for:

• A God who never stops loving me
• A God who forgives me
• A God who died for my sins
• My companion Nellie (my beloved Collie)
• Grandchildren who think I'm the greatest thing since tootsie rolls, and the pleasure of being a part of their lives
• The most incredible friends in the world
• Family who loved me and helped me with money
• A loving church family who also helped me in tangible ways
• Recovery and recovery support friends
• A landlord who is also my best friend and has given me grace on paying rent.
• A roof over my head
• Running water
• Electricity
• Clothes to cover me
• Food (food stamps are one thing I qualified for)

I have to be truthful here, it was not always easy to make such a list. But I continued to do this exercise regularly. It took a while, but a change began to take place in me. I started to see life, people, places and things, differently. And most importantly, I started to see God in a different light.

Why gratitude? You'll see the good things God has given you and done in your life.

As I my perspective started to change, I was able to hear God as He showed me all the times in my past that He had gotten me through very hard times. Times that at the time seemed hopeless. This happened to Jeremiah the prophet. In Lamentations three he goes on for about 20 verses wallowing in self-pity, bitterness, and blaming God. It's true, Jeremiah suffered greatly in his service for God, however, as he wailed on an on, he stopped dead in his tracks and did an about face. Suddenly a light went on. He had an epiphany, an A-HA moment, a moment of clarity. Here is what he said:

"Yet this I recall to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness". Lamentations 3:21-23

Did you catch the word "hope?" "Therefore, I have hope." In other words, when he looked back on his life and saw all the love and compassion God had poured out upon him, his hope began to return. And that is what began to happen to me. Some mornings I would talk to myself, or better yet, talk to God. I would have conversations like this:

"Well, today I don't have enough money to pay my electric bill, but my church has a H.E.L.P. fund, perhaps they can help me with my bill. Thank you Lord there is hope for my situation."

Or, at the end of the day when I would snuggle down to go to sleep I would think, "You know, that dinner I ate was so good, Steamed fresh vegetables, broiled fish, and a baked potato. Thank you Lord, that I was able to get food stamps and have enough to eat."

Sometimes, when I was feeling worthless or lonely, my grandson Max would call unexpectedly. He's four and has quite the personality. He's funny, playful, joking, and tenderhearted. One minute he is telling me I'm full of beans, and the next minutes he's saying, I love you, thank you for being such a good Nana to me" (no prompting from Mom or Dad). "Thank you Lord for my grandson Max and for all my family who love me."

So what I, saying is, Jeremiah had it right. God's compassions never fail, and they are indeed new every morning.

Why gratitude? It shows me the way to Hope.

Gratitude is a faith builder. As you begin to see the hope, and as you begin to remember what God has done and is now doing in your life, your faith and trust grow. Again, Jeremiah spoke it true, "Great is thy faithfulness." We remember, or perhaps for the first time realize, that God is faithful ALWAYS!

My life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."

I hate it when I forget that. But if I'm listening, I hear it. It is so liberating when we realize that we don't have to lean on our own understanding. That's how we get into a lot of messes in the first place, eh? Trusting Him with all our hearts is not easy. It is a lifelong process.

Why gratitude? It restores your faith in God, and that He is faithful.

Sometimes, knowing someone loves us makes all the difference in the world. But, people are human, and they may not always act loving. They may hurt or abandon you. We do the same to others. But God's love never ends. God told Jeremiah this:

"The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: ' Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love..'" (Jeremiah 31:3)

That's right, God said His love was EVERLASTING. That's not only true for the great prophets and other Bible heroes. That is not only true for those who behave themselves. It is true for you and me. "For God so love the world.? The phrase "the world" is not speaking about the globe, it's talking about the people of the world. You are in this world, and so am I. So we are included. Glory to God.

Paul said in Romans 8:37-39:

"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Every time I read that passage, I find my spirit soaring and my heart singing Hallelujah. My prayer is that all the grumpy cynics in the world will come to know that truth.

One more thing, most people in this life live in fear. We might not always be aware of it, but when trials come, our fears overflow us. Often times when I am nearly paralyzed with fear, I remember the words of the Apostle John: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19)

I note that John says "fear involves torment." That resonates with me in a mighty way. Fear is tormenting. It's absolutely horrible. But, because God loves us enough to die for us, we do not need to fear. His perfect love casts out fear. I am so grateful that God loves me. How about you?

Why gratitude? It reminds us that God loves us.

My life is so much richer, saner, and vital than ever before. I have had some deep wounds healed, I have been healed of my "self". My anger is gone. I have forgiven. I have learned to live the abundant life in Christ. I am not saying I have arrived. I will not be able to say that until I fly away. But in the here and now, my life is just more healthy. I turn more quickly to Christ when trials come. I worry a lot less. I don't panic. I have learned to care for myself to keep down the stresses of life. The best thing of all the goodies in my tool box, is to turn to Abba, and cast all my cares upon Him.

Why Gratitude? He heals your fears, our sorrows, our nasty dispostions, and He makes us to have hinds feet on high places.

Pay it forward! I love that phrase. It's biblical. Since I have learned the art of gratitude, and have received such healing and growth, I am now able to give it away. Never in a million years would I have thought that could be true even a year ago. But you know, gratitude is infectious. Or at least the joy it brings is. People have seen my transformation. They are amazed. They rejoice with me. My best friend said recently, "Lori, it's so good to have you back." But I am not just restored. I am renewed. And I just can't keep it myself. God keeps bringingopportunities for me to help others with what I have experienced and learned. I am able to comfort because He has comforted me.

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (2 Corninthians 1:4)

Paul is saying, pay it forward. Give what you have been given. If we keep it to ourselves, it will rot. I don't know about anyone else, but I have had enough of rot in my life time. And I for one am done with it.

Why gratitude? Because we can bless and encourage others to do the same and find new life.

© Lori Colbo 2011