Gratitude

CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY Our November holiday, Thanksgiving, calls for gratitude — if not, perhaps it should. We celebrate giving thanks with family gatherings and superb meals, but I wonder how often we pause to consider the benefits of gratitude. Do we embrace an attitude of gratitude. Attitudes differ from person to person. They can be contagious. What we think and what we say internally, however quietly, affects our personal attitude. Where we focus our attention and how we allow that focus to influence our attitude affects us, and it also touches others. Maybe this is one reason the Bible encourages us to be thankful, to give thanks, to act with thanksgiving. I Thessalonians 5:1618 is a good passage with clear instructions: “rejoice always; pray without ceasing; In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Rejoice. This imperative verb tells us to be full of cheer; calmly happy; to be glad.

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