**GRATITUDE:** What comes to mind when you hear this word? Does it evoke a joyful memory or remind you of a special person? Gratitude is a noun that means thankfulness and appreciation, whether directed towards someone or something.
Have you ever considered gratitude to be a powerful tool for change? In her study, *Get Out of Your Head*, Jennie Allen shares that gratitude can serve as a weapon, helping us avoid falling into a victim mentality. This doesn’t diminish the reality that victims exist in this fallen world. When we understand gratitude as a powerful tool for personal transformation, it prompts us to shift our attention away from our past wounds and challenges and not get stuck or become “victims” of our pain or circumstance. This change in perspective keeps our minds and hearts from spiraling out of control, grounds us to our reality, and allows us to draw strength from our trust in God and His unwavering faithfulness.
My default mindset is not one of gratitude; it tends to focus on the events or circumstances I am experiencing. I often find myself caught up in sharing with others how difficult things have been, which can lead me to adopt a “victim mentality.” Recognizing this mindset made me realize that I have the power to choose how I think. Each day, I can choose to be grateful.
We all must make the choice to embrace gratitude and then work to cultivate it in our daily lives. Here are some great scriptural references to this point:
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." (Psalm 100:4)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)
I love that God made sure to make it clear in scripture that gratitude is a choice and that it plays a part in changing our perspective. By expressing gratitude, we can find joy and peace in our lives and strengthen our relationship with God and others.
Some questions to ponder, talk through, or journal on gratitude:
What are three things you are grateful for today that you may have previously overlooked when you were younger?
How can/has practicing gratitude altered your view of challenging situations?
How can/has gratitude affected your relationship with God and others?
How do you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness in moments of doubt or uncertainty?
What can/could you do to cultivate gratitude and faithfulness in your everyday routines?
Take time to listen to @HOME The Podcast as we discuss this topic!
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