Having a Mindset of
Gratitude to God .
by Tom
Caballes
“Why are you cast
down, O my soul, and why are you in
turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I
shall again praise him, my salvation and
my God."
Psalm 42:11 ESV
Our mindset or
perspective in life affects the way we view
life itself. Some people live their lives with
a sense of entitlement – that life owes them
every good thing, and when trouble comes, they
cannot cope. Some people live their lives as
kings and queens, while others feel unvalued
and unloved. As Christians, what mindset
should we have? It should be based on
gratitude to God. God could not have made us.
But out of His opulent love for us, He created
us, hoping that we would love Him back. He did
not only create us; He provided everything
else
for us. And because we cannot rescue ourselves
from our rebelliousness, He sent His Son Jesus
to redeem us, so that we can spend eternity
with Him. He also sent the Holy Spirit to us
as our guide. Our daily lives ought to be
filled with a sense of deep thanksgiving to
God. We owe God every big and small thing we
have and who we are. God’s unfathomable grace
surrounds us. Have you imagined life would be
without God?
So How Do We
Develop a Mindset of Gratitude
to God in Our Daily Lives?
- Rejoice in the Lord always; again I
will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness
be known to everyone. The Lord is
at hand; do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving, let
your requests be made known to God. And
the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7 ESV) There is a reason to
rejoice always in God regardless
of your feelings circumstances. Even at the
most difficult times, we can thank God. The
Lord is near.
- Know
and acknowledge that everything comes from
God. We are totally dependent on Him. In a
way, we do not own and be
proud of anything. All our talents, riches,
wisdom, abilities, and intellect belong to
God.
- Know
that in life, there will be good times, and
there would be bad times - even if you are a
Christian. Nothing will be
perfect in life on this side of eternity. We
still live in a broken and sinful world. We
still struggle with our fleshly
desires. Balance your mindset based on the
truth and not on your emotions or
circumstances.
- Challenges
and trials test what we are made of inside.
It tests our values and priorities in life.
It also tests how much
trust do we have with God that He is in
control, and all things will work out for
our good.
- Appreciate
how blessed you are. You are an overcomer
and a victor once you said yes to Jesus. Do
not give in to fear,
hopelessness or despair. God is with you
wherever you go. God will never abandon you.
- Have
a mindset of a victor and a conqueror in
life. What then shall we say to these
things? If God is for us, who
can be against us? He who did not spare
his own Son but gave him up for us all,
how will he not also with him
graciously give us all things? (Romans
8:31-32 ESV) No, in all these things we
are more than conquerors through
him who loved us. (Romans 8:37 ESV)
With God, you can overcome any challenge in
life.
- Develop
an attitude of gratitude to God for
everything in life. In big and small things,
in wins and losses, give thanks
to God. Do not take God’s blessings for
granted – your family, relationships, and
all the good things He blesses
you. Let your gratitude to God transform you
from inside – to make you more loving,
peaceful, kind,compassionate,
understanding, and so on – in other words,
you become more and more like Jesus.
Other Scripture passages:
- Give
thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for
his steadfast love endures forever.
(Psalms 136:1 ESV)
- Rejoice
always, pray without ceasing, give thanks
in all circumstances; for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus for
you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)
- I
will bless the LORD at all times; his
praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the
LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh,
magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt
his name together!
(Psalms 34:1-3 ESV)
- This
is the day that the LORD has made; let us
rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24
ESV)
- Other
Bible verses: Psalm 100:4; James 1:2-4; 1
Peter 1: 6-8;
For
personal reflection or
group sharing
- At
times, do I feel I have a sense of
entitlement?
- How
can I grow more in living a life of
gratitude to God?
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Tom
Caballes is the
National Senior
Administrator and a
National Coordinator
of the Lamb
of God, a
community of the
Sword of the Spirit
with 7 branches
located throughout
New Zealand. Tom
also leads Kairos
New
Zealand, an
outreach program for
high school,
university, and
post-university aged
people.
Tom and
his wife Mhel and
their two
daughters live in
Wellington, New
Zealand.
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top illustration
(c) by Kevin Carden
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