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I have learned by experience that if we take steps to demolish the following 9 arguments and strongholds of ingratitude; and build (in their places) well-watered gardens and strong-towers of gratitude, our inner joy will remain intact. We will wake up each day to find our hearts peaceful and overflowing with joy and gratitude regardless of the way things are. This is also because gratitude is first and foremost an appreciation for the gift of life and then for the things of life. If we learn to move from ingratitude to gratitude, we will gain altitude and enjoy life better. Here are the 8 strongholds or mindsets to demolish with the word of God:
1. “I Will Be Grateful When It Gets Better and Bigger”. No, you won't because it won't. Things never get big or good enough when constrained within the boundaries of ingratitude. If you are unthankful for what is little you will be unthankful for what is much. Gratitude has nothing to do with size of a gift it has everything to do with size of the heart. Therefore, if you are ungrateful for what is little you are unqualified for what is much. Luke 16:10-12, Matt 25:14-30
2. “I am In A Hopeless Situation Right Now and I Have Nothing Left”. Hopeless situations will quickly downgrades to deadends unless the man in the situation believes that there is a better tomorrow. As long as there is breath in our lungs, there is always hope that things can get better. For that alone we need to be grateful. Job 14:7-9
3. “I Have Experienced a Loss for Which I am Disappointed and Discouraged". What is lost can be restored and what is left can be preserved. But if we are fussy about what is lost what is left may be lost and what is lost may be lost forever. Besides, expectations may take different routes to arrive. Therefore, disappointment is not enough reason for ingratitude. We must be grateful to the One (God) who can restore what is lost and preserve what is left. Hab 3:17
4. “I Would Have Been Happier If Only Mine Were As Good As His/Hers”. If your satisfaction depends on having what others have, you will never be grateful since there will always be others who have what you don't have. If you are ungrateful for not having what others have be grateful that you what others don't have. If you are ungrateful for not having the goods that others have, be grateful for not also having the ills that others have. Matt 20:1-15
5. “I Deserve More Than This”. It is an act of humility to say "thank you" for every favour recieved and it is an act of pride to withhold a "thank you" that is due. If you are ungrateful because you did not get the befitting reward you deserve, you should be grateful for not also getting the punishment you deserve. Romans 9:25-26. James 4:6. Romans 12:3. 2Corinthians 10: 12
6. “I Will Bring Praise Report When My Current Prayer request Is Granted”. Could it be that the reason we have to pray so hard and wait so long is because we have not submitted our last praise report? Prayer request gets granted more quickly when they are tabled along with praise reports. Jesus' model prayer shows that we are to first honour the Father before we ask for anything. Phil 4:6, Matt 6:9, Psalm 100
7. “I am Offended and As a Result I Do Not Have To Show Gratitude”. Gratitude is debt owed for kindness shown. Offence is not good enough excuse for not returning gratitude for favours received. Offence will always come. When we focus on the wrong things, people and circumstances, we become overwhelmed by them. Besides, there is always something about the offensive situation that if we were to understand our offence will melt away. Psalm 119:165, Eph 4:26,27, Matt 11:6, Matt 24:10, John 16:1
8. “I Deserve It Because I Worked Hard For It”. No one deserves anything because no one has ever received anything that was not given by God. John 3:27, Luke 12:16-21
9. “I Have More Important Things To Do Than To Show Gratitude”. All the most important things in the world become nothing when your breath is recalled by the one who gave it. Gratitude for life must be the first thing we return to God every time we sleep and wake. Some have slept and never woke again. Be grateful for the gift of life. Job 34:14-15, Psalm 63:1
Replace these strongholds of ingratitude with strongtowers of gratitude and you will experience joy and progress everyday. It is with gratitude we gain altitude.
However, it is worthy of note that not all "thank you"s are acceptable. To return an acceptable "thank you" to God it is important to understand that gratitude is not a gift we give but a debt we owe. It is not an act of kindness by itself; it is a response to an act of kindness that was previously done. This is true for gratitude to God and man. A grateful man or woman will always gain altitude and win favour with people. For every "thank you" that you return to God from a grateful heart, new doors of favour open up.
An acceptable thank you is measured by the heart behind it. Gratitude is more a function of attitude than it is an expression of appreciation. You can say "thank you" without being thankful but if you are truly thankful you will say "thank you". Matt 15:8. 1 Sam 16:7. Gen 4:3-7
An acceptable thank you is measured by the heart behind it. Gratitude is more a function of attitude than it is an expression of appreciation. You can say "thank you" without being thankful but if you are truly thankful you will say "thank you". Matt 15:8. 1 Sam 16:7. Gen 4:3-7
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