“O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless His holy name! O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing!” – Psalm 103:1-2 Message Bible.
Gratitude is not just an action; it is an attitude—one with magnitude. As G.K. Chesterton rightly said, “When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”
Gratitude: The Mother of All Virtues!
God commands us to remember His blessings because He knows our human tendency to forget. Just as ingratitude is described as a crime by a Stoic philosopher and stateman of Ancient Rome, Seneca, gratitude is the great separator. When Jesus healed the ten people with leprosy in Luke 17:12-19, only one returned to express thanks. That one man, a Samaritan, received the commendation, “Your faith has made you well.” The others, lost in entitlement, missed the deeper blessing.
Count Your Blessings [Don`t Forget A Single Blessing]
If you can think deeply, you will thank God deeply! Take a moment to reflect on:
- The gift of life (Psalm 150:6: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!”).
- Daily provision (Psalm 68:19: “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits”).
- God’s protection and guidance (Psalm 121:3-4: “He who keeps you will not slumber”).
- Victories over challenges (1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”).
Let us avoid the crime of ingratitude and instead, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4, NKJV).
Gratitude Unlocks Greater Blessings
When we express gratitude, it opens the door for more. Jesus told the grateful person with leprosy in Luke 17:19, “Your faith has made you well.” Gratitude completes the circle of blessing and invites even greater manifestations of God’s goodness.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Gratitude
- Keep a Gratitude Journal: Record at least three things daily for which you are thankful.
- Express Thanks to Others: Write notes, make calls, or send messages to show appreciation to those who have impacted your life this year.
- Share Testimonies: Take time to testify of God’s goodness during family devotion, church meetings, or personal prayer times.
- Meditate on Scripture: Spend time in verses like 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
- Give To Others: Be a blessing to others in need as an expression of gratitude to God.
IT IS TIME FOR GRATITUDE: DON’T FORGET A SINGLE BLESSING!
As we walk through this month, let us continuously count our blessings, naming them one by one. Reflect on the year gone by, thanking God for His faithfulness in every situation. Let gratitude define your heart, your words, and your actions this season.
Remember: “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 92:1, NKJV). Gratitude is the great key that unlocks the fullness of life. [To be continued next week].
