Practicing Gratefullness?

[steve-in-kville]

Some random thoughts I've been having as of late. I hear a lot about "practicing gratefulness" among support groups. Some people I know are simply miserable and want to make everyone else around them miserable. Others have this positive vibe that glows. What ties would this have to one's spiritual life?

[MaxPC]

Good topic, Steve. I have a relative that calls it "attitude of gratitude". The Bible exhorts us to be thankful for our situations and blessings.

The apostle Paul exhorts us in Scripture to give thanks for all things, in all circumstances (Eph 5:20; 1 Thess 5:18), even in suffering (Rom 5:3-5; James 1:1-4), and to do everything in the name of Jesus out of a spirit of gratitude (Col 3:17). On the other hand, thanklessness marks godless and wicked men who suppress the truth about God (Rom 1:18-21).

As a believer, we can have peace and joy through prayer and gratitude. When we pray and give thanks to God, even when it's hard to, we are promised to be given grace and faith. Below is a collection of Bible verses to inspire gratitude in your own heart. Read over these during Thanksgiving or anytime of the year to strengthen your joy. From https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical ... le-verses/

Interestingly the Bible also addresses the "misery loves company" aspect in which the miserable and ungrateful seek to validate their negativism by recruiting others to their viewpoint. 1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 13 and Proverbs 14 are just a few of the verses addressing how we are to be careful about our companions.

Lastly multiple studies have shown the deleterious effects of negativism on one's personal health which shows yet again, how science is still having to catch up to the Bible in a number of areas, especially that of spiritual and mental health. Here is an article that sums up a number of those studies and the health impacts of cynicism and hostility:
Can Negative Thinking Make You Sick?

My view: as God has shown us we have Free Will, we also have the ability and Free Will to choose to be grateful. Like any other attitude and action it is a choice.

[RZehr]

I think it is important, nigh essential, to intentionally cultivate gratefulness. Practice till it doesn’t take practice.

[steve-in-kville]

Something I've noticed, and has been touched on before here on the boards...

People and/or families that have been through the worst of tragedies, massive crisis and/or suffered severe loss typically are some of the brightest stars when it comes to portraying God and his grace, love and mercy. Up-beat, positive and quick to praise the Lord.

And exactly, boys & girls, why is that?

[Somebody]

Because they have learned to trust God, that He's really the only one to totally support you.

[steve-in-kville]

This topic has been on my mind a lot the past few days. I was reading about a famous actor that grew up in Boston, leading a life of crime, did some jail time and in prison turned to his Catholic faith. Now, as an adult, he gets up early every morning to work out, spends an hour in prayer and is ready to get on with his day. One of the kindest, most humble people, yet he's rich & famous.

[temporal1]

Something I've noticed, and has been touched on before here on the boards...

People and/or families that have been through the worst of tragedies, massive crisis and/or suffered severe loss typically are some of the brightest stars when it comes to portraying God and his grace, love and mercy. Up-beat, positive and quick to praise the Lord.

And exactly, boys & girls, why is that?

This topic has been on my mind a lot the past few days. I was reading about a famous actor that grew up in Boston, leading a life of crime, did some jail time and in prison turned to his Catholic faith. Now, as an adult, he gets up early every morning to work out, spends an hour in prayer and is ready to get on with his day. One of the kindest, most humble people, yet he's rich & famous.

i think of this often, and grieve for children and young people being taught “everything-but” gratitude. They are deliberately being taught to be victims in need of taking from (imaginary?) others who owe them “everything” .. but, who cannot provide them with .. “the only water that quenches thirst.”

This boils down to idol worship.

i’m not against gov schools NOT teaching scriptures.

However, Christians overall have FAILED MISERABLY to fill in that GAPING HOLE in our homes, churches, communities.

i don’t believe it was at all intentional.
i believe Christians in the U.S. just felt so secure in Christianity that it was so obvious+evident, that, when gov schools ended Christian teachings and principles in daily lessons, they just didn’t think it mattered. That children would “just naturally” be Christian/moral, GRATEFUL human beings.

i believe there was, and is, widespread failure to pick up - what gov dropped.

i am presently reading a 1915 “First Reader” with my granddaughter that was used in (poor) rural Kentucky one room schools. i want her to see, with her own eyes, how+where public education began.

Country Life Readers: First Book / Cora Wilson Stewart
https://books.google.com/books/about/Co ... cAAAAAYAAJ

i was not familiar with CWS until finding this book in my mother’s things.
She has an interesting history. i’m suggesting my grdaughter consider doing a biography on her sometime when she is asked to do a bio.

she’s in 7th grade. soon 13.
her great-grandmother began teaching in a rural one room school - at age 16.
1932, The Great Depression folks.

Precious to me, the child loves Jesus and scriptures. She takes her tender faith with her into gov schools, where she is given the message, loud+clear: NOT HERE.

[temporal1]

Something I've noticed, and has been touched on before here on the boards...

People and/or families that have been through the worst of tragedies, massive crisis and/or suffered severe loss typically are some of the brightest stars when it comes to portraying God and his grace, love and mercy. Up-beat, positive and quick to praise the Lord.

And exactly, boys & girls, why is that?

The daily WAILING about “injustices” in this country drives me nuts.
i guess history must be ignored, history of authentic suffering.

Today’s wailers are well fed, well clothed, well “educated”, lack for nothing, go out and harm and take from others, knowing they will lose nothing, not miss a meal, etc. (It seems, many get a paycheck to go out and do these things.)

Many young people are choosing not to have families, life is “so wretched.”
They’re raising dogs.

Really. Well, i agree, life via social media is wretched. UNPLUG. LIVE.

[temporal1]

i have an idea that might help resolve some gov school shortfalls.

grandparents and great-grandparents should return en masse to public schools, K-college, to bring much needed balance into the curriculum - with their not-tampered-with/revised books and texts. with their Bibles, if they are believers.

all long-lived cultures value and respect their elders.
the U.S. is a long way from being ancient. lessons are sorely needed that only time teaches.

teachers should return to encouraging respect of family and elders, instead of the present trend of dividing students from their families and faith. as citizens and taxpayers, we are fools to allow this to continue.

Teach gratitude.

[Ken]

Temporal1

For someone who complains a lot about others sidetracking your threads, you sure do a lot of it yourself. I'm not sure what school curriculum as to do with practicing gratefulness and spirituality.

As far as responding to Steve's post. I tend to agree. Being grateful vs being miserable has a lot to do with whether one is optimistic or pessimistic. I find in the workplace I just have to avoid those sour folks who have nothing but complaints. I find the negative energy just saps me. And the are the ones who always seem so completely worn out the end of the week. I don't think that is a coincidence.

I try to make it a point to look for the good in people and circumstances. And to be grateful for what we actually have. Not materially, but in terms of health and family and peace.

Responding to Steve. It's not just those who have experienced great loss that are often the most generous. it is often those with the least. I find people of modest means to often be the most generous and grateful. And those with wealth to be the most miserly miserable, and suspicious of the world. Perhaps "There but for the grace of God go I" is an easier concept if you have less to begin with.