What is Gratitude?

By Rachael Renee

What is gratitude? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, gratitude is
“the state of being grateful.” Being grateful is not always easy, especially when
life gets rough. It’s easy to be thankful when everything is going well for you in
life.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

That passage above encourages us to be in a constant state of joy and gratefulness because our steps are ordered by the Lord.

How can you be reminded to stay thankful even during hard times? When you’re feeling down about certain situations or simply unmotivated you can turn to the scripture to encourage you. John 16:33 says “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

God has given us the strength to overcome any obstacles we might come across. The Bible says that God will not put more on us than we can bare (1 Corinthians 10:13). Also keep in mind that somewhere someone is in a more severe situation than you.Look back on your life and remember what God has brought you through and if
He has brought you this far He would hardly leave you.

A great example of gratefulness in the Bible is Hannah. She was a barren
woman praying to the Lord for a son. Hannah made a vow to give her son to the
Lord and never cut his hair. When God heard her prayers and gave her a son she
named him Samuel “because she asked the Lord for him”(Samuel 1:20). After
Samuel was born Hannah followed through on her promise to give him to the
Lord. Hannah could have kept Samuel after him being born and gone against
the vow she made. Instead, she kept her vow to the Lord, and in turn, He
blessed her to have five more children.

Obeying the Lord and having faith that in His timing He’ll answer your prayers will lead to abundant blessings. Being grateful helps your outlook on challenges in life. If something bad happens you can encourage yourself in the Lord as David did (1 Samuel 30:6).

Have faith that God will bring you through and see that you fulfill the purpose
or calling He has placed on your life.

“For I know the plans I
have for you, ‘declares the Lord,’ plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Be encouraged that God will not harm you
and He has great plans for you. Learn to be grateful on the journey and have faith because God will answer your prayers!

Overall, everyone can learn a little something from Hannah, whether it’s to swear unto your own hurt (Psalm 15:4) or to have faith that God will bless you with the answer to your prayers.