Gratitude

Most of us do not realise how important the concept of being grateful really is. Gratitude can be described as acknowledgment, appreciativeness, grace, gratefulness, honour, indebtedness, praise, recognition, thankfulness and thanksgiving. Colossians 3:16 says, “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Strong's concordance gives us the word C H A R I S of which the short definition is grace, favour and kindness. Defined as “grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Christ. Gratitude is the foundation of good mental health, spirituality and self-development. The Hebrew term for gratitude is hikarat hatov, which means "recognising the good." Practicing gratitude means recognising the good that is already yours. If you've lost your job, but you still have your family and health, you have something to be grateful for. If you can't move around except for in a wheelchair but your mind is as sharp as ever, you have something to be grateful for. When you open up to the trait of gratitude, you will be able to better see clearly and accurately, how much good there is in your life. Gratitude affirms. Many of us tend to focus so heavily on the deficiencies in our lives that we barely perceive the good that counterbalances them. Now more so than ever as believers, we need to remember to focus on the blessings all around us that we tend to take for granted. When you live a life that is fuelled by and charged with gratitude, you have the ability to give thanks for anything and anyone who has benefited you, whether they meant to or not.The Most High Creator God’s word is filled with the concept of gratitude, all over it’s pages. Locating these gems of truth can be a simple and effective way of reminding yourself to practice gratitude so that you can reflect the soon coming Kingdom of the Most High Creator God.