Gratitude Changes Everything
By Pastor Karl Bastian
The celebration of Thanksgiving every November is wonderful. Families gather. Tables are full. Traditions are honored. Gratitude gets a full day on the calendar.
But the downside is that it can subtly relegate gratitude to something we focus on once in a while—sadly, perhaps annually. We pull out thankfulness like fine china, use it for a day, and then pack it back into storage with the pumpkin decorations.
The reality is that an attitude of gratitude is the secret to contentment and happiness every single day of our lives.
By our human (sinful) nature, we tend to focus on what we want, need, or are striving for. We fix our eyes on the next goal, the next opportunity, the next improvement. In doing so, we often neglect to realize we are living what we once hoped for. The job we prayed for. The ministry we dreamed about. The family we longed to build. The friendships we once asked God to provide.
How quickly we stop appreciating where we are, what we have, and WHO we have. Blessings that once brought us to tears of joy can slowly become background noise. They are taken for granted and overshadowed by what we want next.
We may even blame good traits—Vision, Passion, Dreams, or Ministry Drive—for our discontent. After all, aren’t we supposed to keep growing? Keep reaching? Keep building?
Yes. But there is a difference between healthy growth and restless dissatisfaction.
An attitude of “I have already arrived” does not mean we stop growing. It means we recognize that, in Christ, we are already blessed beyond measure. It cures us of always seeking, always striving, always hoping for “something more,” while missing how blessed we currently are.
The Bible is loaded with admonition to live with a heart and mindset of gratitude because it shapes our overall joy and happiness.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Notice that thanksgiving is not seasonal. It is situational. All circumstances. Every situation. Gratitude is not reserved for when life is perfect. It is the pathway to peace in the middle of imperfection.
So while you may not have all you want, dream of, or even at times need—stop and focus on all you already have and simply say, “Thank You.”
The psalmist models this beautifully: “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
That is more than a feeling; it is a decision.
Remember the old hymn:
“Count your blessings, count them one by one.
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.”
It might be a good idea to look up that old classic and reflect on the lyrics as you read or listen. You may just discover you are better off than you think.
I’ve always loved the line:
“People live in one of two tents—disconTENT or conTENTment.” Which do you call home?
Gratitude changes everything—not because your circumstances instantly change, but because your perspective does. And sometimes, that changes everything.
Pastor Karl Bastian
Kidology.org
