Gratitude is essential to happiness, research has proven that. But, modern times have regressed it into a mere feeling instead of retaining its historical value. A virtue that leads to action. As we look at 7 days of gratitude: day 7, I ponder the action of gratitude as it related to God in my life and me in the world.
Gratitude and God
Gratitude is easier to comprehend when God is involved. We tend to glorify ourselves instead of him when we don’t have him in our lives. Abraham Lincoln once said, “we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has grown, but we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserves us in peace, and multiplied, enriched, and strengthened us. And we vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all the blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.”
Alone, we put ourselves on top. We become the hero of our story and that vanity will destroy us. Without God, we can not understand gratitude at its core. We lose sight of blessings, protection, and the benefits that lead us to gratefulness. This leaves us morally and spiritually bankrupt. In this respect, God is the way, the truth, and the life. Having him leads to a grateful heart.
Gratitude in my life
It has been said that, “people who are ungrateful tend to be characterized by an excessive sense of self importance, arrogance, vanity, and an unquenchable need for admiration and approval.” That is farthest from who I want to be and how I want to feel. This narcissistic way of being will lead to loneliness, sadness, and people not liking us. Believe it.
I choose gratitude in my life. I have a great deal to be thankful and blessed with. My God, my children, and my pets are just a few of those things.
What gratitude does for us
Gratitude makes us more optimistic, it reduces materialism and increases spiritualism. It decreases feelings of envy and makes us feel good. Happiness, compassion, and empathy are some of the end results of gratitude.
The Five ways i practice gratitude
- Keep a journal
- In person
- Show respect for those around you
- Don’t complain
- Volunteer in your community
Conclusion
This study in gratitude has led me to a better understanding of its importance in living, loving, and learning. Day 7, in particular, has brought me to practice gratefulness in different ways, and more often. I now see gratitude as a virtue that leads to action, and act I will.