Gratitude Challenge

What is gratitude? The definition states that it means to be thankful or the readiness to show appreciation or return of kindness. And the verse in Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

When we look around at not only all the things we have but the family we are surrounded by daily, we should always display an attitude of gratitude. God has truly blessed us with the greatest sacrifice of all, his son. God didn’t complain at all; he did it with a grateful heart. 

Sometimes as we go about our day-to-day life it’s hard to have or display an attitude of gratitude. If we just look around, we have a lot of things we should be grateful for. If we look at the verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. This clearly states that we should have that attitude of gratitude at all times and in all situations. 

I try to show and display gratitude, although some days it’s hard. Some days may not go as we had planned and thought they should have. It’s in those times that we especially need to be grateful. Grateful that even though we may not have accomplished what we had set out to do, God had other plans that day and hopefully I got those done. 

We always have something to be grateful for every single day. At the end of each day, I try to think of at least 5-10 things that I was or am grateful for and give thanks to God. I challenge you to try and make a list each day of 5-10 things to be grateful for about that day. As we learn to be grateful for what we have accomplished or what we have, our attitude of gratitude will be easily displayed. 

Contributed by Carrie Guthmiller