Bright Lights Meeting on Gratefulness

These last couple of meetings in Bright Lights we have been talking about being thankful in trials and difficult situations, but also for the blessings that God gives us each day. So often we go through our day, and not once stop to thank the Lord for His abundant blessings, or those who have benefited our life in some way.

Gratefulness is something the Lord takes very seriously. In Romans 1 Paul gives a description of people who have rejected God and are living in rebellion against Him. At the beginning of the downward spiral of sin in this chapter, it says that they were not thankful. In II Timothy 3:1 it says that in the last days “People will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy” (emphasis mine). God places unthankfulness on the same level as blasphemy and pride. Ungratefulness was what caused the hearts of the Israelites to turn away from God when they were in the wilderness. Numbers 11:1 says, “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and His anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” These people died because of their ungratefulness.

So how do we learn gratefulness?

1.Gratefulness starts at the cross between you and God

When we understand what Jesus Christ has done for us, it will cause our hearts to well up in deep and intense gratitude. The only proper response we can give Him is to give our lives, our all, to Him.

Gratefulness is linked to humility. A prideful person will take everything for granted. But a humble person will realize that they deserve nothing, and that everything they do have is a gift from God (James 1:17). That will cause them to be grateful for those things. Contentment springs out of gratefulness, and out of contentment, peace and joy. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful.” – Col 3:15

Also,

2. Gratefulness is understanding that everything in my life is either sent from or allowed by God, and that He is in total control of my life

God’s purpose for sending trials our way is to strengthen our faith and to grow us in Him. James 1:2-4 tells us to count it all joy when we face trials, because the trying of our faith works patience. When we understand God’s love, and His purpose for sending trials, we will be able to be thankful for them also.

3. Gratefulness is expressing to others how they have benefited my life

Who was the last person who benefited you in some way? When was the last time you thanked them for it? So often we take things for granted and forget to thank people. But we have no idea how much our gratefulness might mean to someone else.

What does a grateful person look like?

The Bible tells us.

• They realize that everything they have is given to them by God and don’t get upset when those things are taken away – James 1:17
• They have joy because they are satisfied in Christ (content) – Psalm 107:8-9, 22
• They are constantly praising God and thanking Him for what He has given (and even not given) – Hebrews 13:15
• They give thanks in everything, for trials as well as blessings – I Thess 5:18
• They express their gratefulness outwardly (singing) – Eph 5:19-20
• They are willing to make sacrifices to show gratitude to someone – Psalm 119:62
• They recognize God’s sovereignty in difficult situations and see blessings in them – Ps 119:71, 75
• They don’t just thank the Lord, they tell others about Him and what He has done for them – I Chron 16:8
• They are thankful for the small blessings that most people take for granted – Deut 8:10

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.” – Psalm 107:1

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” -Psalm 103:1-2

During the meeting we split into small groups and did a short study on what the Bible says about thankfulness. Then, after praying together in our small groups, the girls wrote letters to our friends in the Bright Lights group in Texas.

We closed with this challenge:

An Attitude of Gratitude

“There’s a problem that I see in the world today

It’s a character defect, a trait that’s in decay.

I see its lack in children, in men and women too,

About this great big problem we must something do.

What is that little something? You might ask, so I will tell,

That you might build it in your lives and be not in lack as well.

Have an attitude of gratitude, each and every day;

Have an attitude of gratitude in each and every way.

Be thankful for the blessings, the pain and trials too,

For if we’re not complainers Christ’s light will shine right through.

All things we must do without a murmur or dispute,

That we may be blameless and harmless, children of God without rebuke.

For if we do, we will shine as bright lights in our nation,

As twinkling stars in this perverse and crooked generation.

“Give thanks to God in all things” the Holy Bible says,

And since we must be obedient and follow in all Christ’s ways,

We will not be complainers, not a murmur or a pout,

Let’s all purpose to be grateful in both the inside and the out.

Have an attitude of gratitude each and every day;

Have an attitude of gratitude in each and every way.

So next time you feel like complaining, just remember these great truths,

And let the attitude of gratitude become a part of you!”

Caitlin Mullon 2013

See also here for more on this topic 🙂

Soli Deo Gloria!