The power of gratitude (saying thanks)

I have come to realize that we live in a culture of rights for the most part. Niceties and manners are not as common as when I was a child. Even when he shows manners, people who operate with the right tend to look at him strangely.

Manners and gratitude have never gone out of style. Even God has a standard of what He requires of us in regards to our interaction with Him and how we should operate in general. In Psalm 50:23 God makes it very clear what is required

“Psalm 50:23 (New Living Translation) But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you follow my path, I will reveal God’s salvation to you.”

How powerful is that! There are many things that come with salvation, not only saving our souls, but fulfillment and blessings come with it when you obey God’s command.

Sozo’ is the Greek word for salvation: save, deliver, make whole or restore, heal, be whole.

God has personally shown me the power of gratitude and how it moves you. A family member asked me for help and I agreed to help them. His gratitude and appreciation was so genuine that he just wanted to do even more to help them.

Our Grace makes God manifest in ways that are far beyond what we can ask or think, dream or imagine – Ephesians 3:20!

Another scripture that God used to show me the power of Gratitude is from Luke 17:11-19

Luke 17:11-19 (The Message)

11-13 It happened that while he was on his way to Jerusalem, he passed the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men met him, all lepers. They kept their distance but raised their voices shouting: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14-16 Looking at them well, he said: “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”
They went, and while still on the way, they were cleansed.

“One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He knelt at the feet of Jesus, very grateful. He couldn’t thank her enough, and he was a Samaritan. “

Verses 7-19 Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can no one be found to return and give glory to God except this stranger?” So he said to her, “Get up. Go on your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.”

His gratitude caused him not only to be healed, but, along with his faith, he recovered. Showing genuine gratitude to someone who reached out to you and went above and beyond for you shows them that you value them and appreciate them taking the time to help you.

Whether you asked for help or the person saw the need and responded to it, it’s always good to acknowledge and show gratitude that they really didn’t have to take the time to help, but rather, being like Christ, they did what Jesus would do. . It’s not about seeking gratitude before helping someone, but it makes a world of difference when someone expresses true gratitude in this culture of entitlement.

Make it a practice to start showing gratitude and being thankful for the kindness someone shows you and for all the good things in your life that God blessed you with. It will change your perspective as well as the position of your heart.

Gratitude Quotes:

“Gratitude is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the culmination of gratitude. Gratitude may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in deeds.”
Enrique Federico Amiel

“What separates privilege from right is gratitude.”
Brene Brown

“The deepest longing of human nature is the need to be appreciated.”
William James