1 Chronicles 16:8 - Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.
Psalm 107:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for His is good; His love endures forever.
2 Corinthians 9:15 - Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do you think gratitude is countercultural? Sometimes I think so - especially for us in our possessive, materialistic world. Basic provisions can be quickly forgotten without pausing to acknowledge the miracle of their origin. Contemporary American expectations of what we deserve are off the charts compared to most of the world. Being grateful for a five year old computer, a ten year old car, vitamins, antibiotics, heat in our home, cool drinks in the refrigerator is not generally part of our daily routine.
The late Catholic writer Henri Nouwen spoke insightfully to this truth. He believed that gratitude is a discipline. Gratitude is not something that comes naturally or easily. Thus it is important to seek to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. A spirit of gratitude will move us, like it moved the Samaritan leper.
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