A Grateful Heart

We know that a consistent heart of gratitude keeps us in harmony in our relationship with God, but in a practical sense, how do we maintain it, and how can we be intentional? 

A first clue is the example of Paul. Philippians 4:12–13 says, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I’ve learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” 

Notice that the famous preacher trained his mind and heart to be always grateful. This meant a conscious, daily, hourly focus on the good things God has brought him. And sometimes we’re down to basics on this: life, food to eat, clothes to wear, shelter. That’s all many people have, and it’s easy—living in the U.S. especially, to forget that our basic needs are met. But choosing gratitude is key. The actor Will Arnett does this. He says, “I’m happy because I’m grateful, and I choose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy.” 

Another way to maintain a grateful heart is being very mindful every day of what God has gifted us with. Music icon Willie Nelson understands the value of such an attitude. He says, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” Take stock every day, and actually list the things you’re grateful for. Soon enough, it’ll be part of your daily routine. 

A third way to maintain a grateful heart is to choose to focus on the positive. There’s enough junk in the world. What you choose to focus on will in large part define you. It’s sort of like a natural law. If you do an act of kindness for someone, or sit for 20 minutes watching a gorgeous sunset, instead of scrolling through the news on your phone, you’ll find that joy and a grateful heart become your reality. God loves you. Start your journey toward gratitude with that.  

Let’s pray. 

Father God, no one can stop us from thanking you for your love and grace. That’s our first step toward having a grateful heart. From breathing clean air to enjoying a holiday with family and friends. We commit ourselves to a life of gratitude. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

  

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_01 (00:00):
From the Bible, we know that a consistent heart of
gratitude keeps us in harmony inour relationship with God.
But in a practical sense, how dowe maintain it?
And how can we be intentional?
A first clue is the example ofPaul.
Philippians 4 12 through 13says, I know how to be brought
low and I know how to abound.

(00:21):
In any and every circumstance,I've learned the secret of
facing plenty and hunger,abundance and need.
I can do all things through himwho strengthens me.
Notice that the famous preachertrained his mind and heart to be
always grateful.
This meant a conscious, daily,hourly focus on the good things

(00:43):
God has brought him.
And sometimes we're down tobasics on this.
Life, food to eat, clothes towear, shelter.
That's all many people have.
And it's easy living in theU.S., especially to forget that
our basic needs are met.
But choosing gratitude is key.

(01:03):
The actor Will Arnett does this.
He says, I'm happy because I'mgrateful, and I choose to be
grateful.
That gratitude allows me to behappy.
Another way to maintain agrateful heart is being very
mindful every day of what Godhas gifted us with.
Music icon Willie Nelsonunderstands the value of such an
attitude.
He says, When I started countingmy blessings, my whole life

(01:27):
turned around.
Take stock every day andactually list the things you're
grateful for.
Soon enough, it'll be part ofyour daily routine.
A third way to maintain agrateful heart is to choose to
focus on the positive.
There's enough junk in theworld.
What you choose to focus onwill, in large part, define you.

(01:47):
It's sort of like a natural law.
If you do an act of kindness forsomeone or sit for 20 minutes
watching a gorgeous sunsetinstead of scrolling through the
news on your phone, you'll findthat joy and a grateful heart
become your reality.
God loves you.
Start your journey towardgratitude with that.
Let's pray.

(02:10):
Father God, no one can stop usfrom thanking you for your love
and grace.
That's our first step towardhaving a grateful heart.
From breathing clean air toenjoying a holiday with family
and friends, we commit ourselvesto a life of gratitude.
In Jesus' name.

(02:30):
Amen.

SPEAKER_00 (02:32):
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