Expressing gratitude and thanksgiving is one of the most encouraging and edifying things we can do for a fellow human being. Few things lift our spirits more than being on the receiving end of genuine expressions of thanks, gratitude and appreciation.

When it comes to life-balance, an attitude of gratitude is a character trait we should cultivate and exercise often each day. So why has giving thanks and expressing gratitude seem to have become increasingly a rare occurrence in this day and age? What do you think is the cause? Selfishness? Greed, Materialism?

Saying thank you, expressing gratitude and appreciation is such an easy thing to do if your heart attitude is right. And therein lies the problem, our hearts. Pride is the source of a lack of gratitude. Pride, arrogance and a sense of entitlement doesn’t value or think giving thanks is necessary. Entitlement, narcissism, and self-absorption are barriers to gratitude. We think, “Life owes us something” “People owe me” or “I deserve this.” In all its various forms, a preoccupation with self, causes us to forget our benefits and our benefactors. And so, gratitude is not viewed as something needed, or that we should practice.

Humility is the key to gratitude. Humble people understand the truth that we need each other. We all do! We are not self-sufficient. We did not create ourselves. We are dependent on God and on others – family, friends, coworkers, fellow believers. The humble person recognizes that life is a gift to be grateful for, not a right to be claimed. Gratitude is born out of humility Gratitude is the recognition that life owes me nothing and all the good I have is a gift.

We should be channels of gratitude in two areas of life. Gratitude to God and gratitude to others. The psalmist says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds.

The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:4 says, “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” When’s the last time you expressed thanks to God and to those closest in your life?  What about those you engage with at work or in the marketplace? Expressing thanks and gratitude to God should come easy. Expressing thanks and gratitude toward others isn’t as natural and requires effort.  What are some ways you can express gratitude and appreciation to others. A kind word, a phone call, a card or letter, a gift, an act of service are good starting points.

Put together your own list of how you can express to God and others, thanks, gratitude and appreciation. God honors expressions of gratitude towards others who are serving you. With practice and effort, expressions of gratitude result in satisfaction, joy, empathy, and well-being.

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

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