{"id":8206,"date":"2018-11-14T11:44:51","date_gmt":"2018-11-14T16:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=8206"},"modified":"2018-11-14T11:44:51","modified_gmt":"2018-11-14T16:44:51","slug":"practical-gratitude-five-reasons-to-go-big-on-gratefulness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=8206","title":{"rendered":"Practical Gratitude: Five Reasons to Go Big on Gratefulness"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Gratitude\"Five Reasons to Go Big on Gratefulness<\/h2>\n

By Shane Bennett<\/p>\n

In our current culture wars, I would like to think I choose my battles carefully. The evidence might indicate otherwise. Certainly, I\u2019m prone to be judgmental toward people who engage with great tenacity on different issues than I do. For example, I could hardly care less if someone says happy holidays or merry Christmas. And I recently went on record<\/a> saying it was cool that two particular Democrats were elected to Congress (because they were Muslim women, not because they were Democrats).<\/p>\n

That said, without getting all whiny about Christmas chattel in Walmart already, I want to plant a flag, wave a flag, or do something with a flag that says, \u201cThanksgiving is cool\u201d in big, bold, pumpkin-spice-scented letters!<\/p>\n

Thanksgiving is essentially what a holiday should be: family, friends, food, and conversation all infused with this warm and grateful internal realization, \u201cAh, I\u2019m not dead. You\u2019re not dead either. Woohoo! This is good.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you hold to the basic tenets of Christianity, we of all people should be given over to gratitude. An uncreated Creator, omnipotent and omniscient, likes us. He went to great lengths to bring us back to himself. And he offers complete forgiveness and purpose-filled life forever starting now! That\u2019s worth a hearty thank you very much. (Tweet this<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the trouble: As mobilizers, we spend a good chunk of our time pointing out what isn\u2019t done yet, the difference between what we see now and a completed Great Commission. We talk about needs and suffering. We\u2019ve learned that response often correlates to how bleakly we paint the picture, and funding follows fear.<\/p>\n

My purpose here isn\u2019t to encourage you to stop that, but rather, given that reality, to inspire in us a fresh focus on thankfulness. You may or may not need a reminder. I do. About once a week.<\/p>\n

Why go big on gratefulness?<\/p>\n

1. The Bible says so.<\/h3>\n

Since you can probably quote Paul\u2019s admonitions to gratitude better than I can, let me back up to Jesus for some biblical basis: In Matthew 5:14-16<\/a> Jesus says,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.\u201d<\/div>\n

I wouldn\u2019t split a denomination over this, but I think part of what makes our \u201clight shine before men\u201d is gratitude. When we\u2019re thankful, the light of Jesus shines and people glorify God. I love it when that happens!<\/p>\n

2. Gratitude reflects reality.<\/h3>\n

If we rightly understand the fundamental aspects of reality\u2014that we exist, that we know it, that we exist and know it because of a good God, these naturally engender gratitude. You and I have life. And because of God we have hope.<\/p>\n

3. Gratitude reshapes our psyche, outlook, and future.<\/h3>\n

According to Benedictine monk Brother David Steindl-Rast<\/a>, \u201cIt is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.\u201d For a three-and-a-half-minute elaboration on this, check out Brene Brown<\/a>. For ten change-your-life minutes, watch Ann <\/a>VosKamp<\/a> unpack the science and practicality of gratitude.<\/p>\n

4. Thankfulness lifts others around us.<\/h3>\n

I am blessed when I hear people honestly express a sense of gratitude. When they\u2019re grateful for me, of course, but really, regardless of what they\u2019re thankful for. I love to read expressions of gratitude on Facebook and the list of \u201cpraises\u201d that often go next to \u201cprayer requests\u201d on ministry newsletters. Oh sure, a little jealousy might sneak in when someone says, \u201cI\u2019m just so thankful that we\u2019re at 118% of our support goal after these arduous five weeks of effort,\u201d but you know, usually I\u2019m blessed!<\/p>\n

5. There are so many things for which to be grateful.<\/h3>\n

For mission mobilizers, the list is long. Although much work remains to be done, God has done so much already. And we live in a time when the growth of his kingdom is staggering. Skim Robby Butler\u2019s article<\/a> to feel the joy and hope being birthed in some 650 current movements to Jesus around the world.<\/p>\n

Two final thoughts to make this as down-in-the-dirt practical as possible:<\/p>\n

Who should we thank?<\/h3>\n