A Year of Gratitude – JULY
Happy JULY! Wow! Half the year has already flown by. I cannot seem to keep up this year. The year has already been eventful and full of blessings.
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How are you doing in your challenge of making a list of three to five things for which you are thankful every day? I would love to hear from you.
I have been having a little difficulty keeping up with it in my journal. With my exercise intolerance, some days I end up crashing before I can finish my journaling for the day.
This month, we’ll focus on A Biblical View of Gratitude.
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Before we dive into the topic for this month, let’s review what we’ve learned so far this year.
What is gratitude?
Webster defines gratitude as the state of being grateful.
We know that gratitude is not only a Biblical command, but it is also very beneficial to our mood, outlook, and overall well-being.
We know that thoughts are a powerful force that can have can significantly impact on our lives. For that very reason, we need to bring our thoughts under Christ’s control (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).
We know that gratitude can be a trait, a mood, or an emotion. Numerous advantages can arise from practicing multiple forms of gratitude, including improved mental health, strengthened relationships, improved sleep, less inflammation, increased contentment, and so forth.
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What does the Bible say about gratitude?
We find example after example in God’s Word regarding the importance of gratitude in the Christian life, regardless of the situation. Giving thanks should be a daily, personal habit that keeps your focus on God’s goodness rather than just something you do on Thanksgiving. Expressing our gratitude to God not only draws our attention to His goodness in our lives, but also brings Him the honor and glory He is worthy of.
Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 1 Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks unto the LORD –
David is giving an exhortation to God’s people to join in giving praises to God. In this and the following verses (vs 8-12), He gives a list of ways we can praise Him:
- Call upon His name
- Make known His deeds
- Sing to Him
- Talk of His wondrous works
- Glory in His name
- Let those that seek Him rejoice
- Seek the Lord
- Remember His marvelous works
When we take the time to consider God’s kindness in our lives, we become grateful; yet, when we forget, we get resentful and complain. Just saying “Thank You” is insufficient when it comes to giving God thanks. When we are thankful, we consider the wonderful things He has done for us. He has provided us with Jesus, the Bible to read, and prayer so that we can communicate with Him at any moment. Remembering everything God has already given us will help us to remain grateful even in trials and hardships.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
The Hebrew word “Dayenu” translates to “It would have been enough.” This Hebrew song tells the story of Exodus at the Passover. In each stanza of the hymn, God bestows blessings upon the Jewish people both during and after the Exodus. “Dayenu” ends each stanza. In essence, this song teaches that gratitude turns what we have into enough and more.
Always remember that God loves you and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made!
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I pray that this month as you journal God’s blessings you will feel His presence in every aspect of your life and that you will remain aware of His presence throughout the month.
You can download a copy of the Scripture Plan here:
References:
- Life Application Study Bible: King James Version. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2004. Print
- Henry, Matthew, 1662-1714. (1991). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible : wherein each chapter is summed up in its contents: the sacred text inserted at large in distinct paragraphs; each paragraph reduced to its proper heads: the sense given, and largely illustrated with practical remarks and observations. Peabody, Mass. :Hendrickson Publishers
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratitude
- https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/dayenu-it-would-have-been-enough/
- https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-thessalonians-5/
