Gratitude — The Best Attitude
Gratitude — The Best Attitude
Gratitude — The Best Attitude
Gratitude — The Best Attitude
The practice of gratitude changes lives and helps us grow as leaders and coworkers. The ancient Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
Philosophers, psychologists, scientists and medical doctors all agree that an attitude of gratitude is beneficial for human flourishing. The study of gratitude by experts in all these fields has proven that there are physical, psychological, and social benefits to becoming more grateful. These experts also agree on the most basic definition of gratitude. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for something of value which you did not create — something that has a source outside of yourself.
More Gratitude → More Virtue
The practice of gratitude changes lives and helps us grow as leaders and coworkers. The ancient Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” In other words, being grateful leads to humility, wisdom, patience, kindness and much more. When you realize what you have, that you did nothing to create, — you see your life and work as part of something much bigger. Knowing that you are a small part of something bigger than yourself leads you to seek wisdom and understanding of the Source Of All Things. The wisdom produced by gratitude creates patience and kindness because you realize that other people are on the journey of life and work with you.
More Gratitude → Less Problems
Gratitude also leads to less anger and anxiety. Think about the last time you were angry or anxious — it likely had to do with not receiving something you thought you were owed from someone else. The more we see ourselves in the center of our life and work (“if it’s going to be it’s up to me”) the more resentful of others we become. Yet, when we are aware of how much we have been given, that we do not deserve, we are able to turn much of our anger to grateful appreciation and much of our anxiety to confidence.
With all of these benefits, why are we not more grateful? Perhaps it is because we don’t know how to practice gratitude. Real gratitude involves our entire being — heart, soul, mind and strength. These steps, which are rooted in God’s word, can guide us to gratefully trust in God’s faithfulness.
7 Ways To Grow In Gratefulness
1. Create a Grateful List - Make a list of everything that you are grateful for. Be specific — people, gifts, events, nature, circumstances, past successes, past failures. Add to this list on a regular basis.
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:20
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus! - Thessalonians 5:18
2. Consider the Source - Go deeper and consider the source behind each thing you are grateful for until you get to God.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. - John 1:3
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. - Colossians 1:16
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17
3. Use the Grateful List to Thank Specific People - Tell people thank you, write to them, and use the list to thank God for the people in your life.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. - Philippians 1:3-4
4. Use the Grateful List to Thank God - for everything and everyone in your life. Fall asleep telling God all thank you are thankful for.
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. - Psalm 9:1-2
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. - Psalm 3:5
5. Create a List of Concern - Make a list of everything you are worried about in the future, and make a list of things that are unknown to you.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - Peter 5:7
6. Compare the Lists - Try to match the list of cares with a place God has been faithful to you from the grateful list.
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23
If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. - 2 Timothy 2:13
7. Rejoice in God and Pray for Your Concerns - In light of all that God has done for you, trust that God will guide you.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4-7
Philosophers, psychologists, scientists and medical doctors all agree that an attitude of gratitude is beneficial for human flourishing. The study of gratitude by experts in all these fields has proven that there are physical, psychological, and social benefits to becoming more grateful. These experts also agree on the most basic definition of gratitude. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for something of value which you did not create — something that has a source outside of yourself.
More Gratitude → More Virtue
The practice of gratitude changes lives and helps us grow as leaders and coworkers. The ancient Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” In other words, being grateful leads to humility, wisdom, patience, kindness and much more. When you realize what you have, that you did nothing to create, — you see your life and work as part of something much bigger. Knowing that you are a small part of something bigger than yourself leads you to seek wisdom and understanding of the Source Of All Things. The wisdom produced by gratitude creates patience and kindness because you realize that other people are on the journey of life and work with you.
More Gratitude → Less Problems
Gratitude also leads to less anger and anxiety. Think about the last time you were angry or anxious — it likely had to do with not receiving something you thought you were owed from someone else. The more we see ourselves in the center of our life and work (“if it’s going to be it’s up to me”) the more resentful of others we become. Yet, when we are aware of how much we have been given, that we do not deserve, we are able to turn much of our anger to grateful appreciation and much of our anxiety to confidence.
With all of these benefits, why are we not more grateful? Perhaps it is because we don’t know how to practice gratitude. Real gratitude involves our entire being — heart, soul, mind and strength. These steps, which are rooted in God’s word, can guide us to gratefully trust in God’s faithfulness.
7 Ways To Grow In Gratefulness
1. Create a Grateful List - Make a list of everything that you are grateful for. Be specific — people, gifts, events, nature, circumstances, past successes, past failures. Add to this list on a regular basis.
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:20
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus! - Thessalonians 5:18
2. Consider the Source - Go deeper and consider the source behind each thing you are grateful for until you get to God.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. - John 1:3
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. - Colossians 1:16
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17
3. Use the Grateful List to Thank Specific People - Tell people thank you, write to them, and use the list to thank God for the people in your life.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. - Philippians 1:3-4
4. Use the Grateful List to Thank God - for everything and everyone in your life. Fall asleep telling God all thank you are thankful for.
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. - Psalm 9:1-2
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. - Psalm 3:5
5. Create a List of Concern - Make a list of everything you are worried about in the future, and make a list of things that are unknown to you.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalm 55:22
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - Peter 5:7
6. Compare the Lists - Try to match the list of cares with a place God has been faithful to you from the grateful list.
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23
If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. - 2 Timothy 2:13
7. Rejoice in God and Pray for Your Concerns - In light of all that God has done for you, trust that God will guide you.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4-7