Practicing Gratitude

Nothing breeds chaos more than a complaining heart.

In my home, whenever one person complains, it tends to bring on a string of complaints from everyone else. Peaceful environments quickly become tense and chaotic when the grumbling begins! It's a vicious cycle because as soon as one discomfort or inconvenience comes to the surface, it’s easy to notice all the others.

The truth is that we don’t have to try hard to complain. Life is full of troubles and difficulties. A stubbed toe, a dropped glass, a stolen credit card, a migraine— there are many (often legitimate) trials to grumble about on a daily basis. The problem with grumbling and complaining, however, is that these responses will not improve our situation. This broken world will certainly weigh us down, but complaining (outwardly or inwardly) will only make the burden heavier for us and for others.

On the other hand, gratitude brings peace and light.

Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

What makes us stand apart from the chaos around us? Our lack of grumbling, or our gratitude. When we practice intentional thankfulness, discontentment loses its power to ruin our day. When we refuse to grumble and complain, we strengthen our witness to those around us. And we don't need to muster up fake gratitude! The root of our thankfulness is grounded in truth—the work of Jesus and his promises to those who put their faith in him.

No matter how terrible this world can be, no matter how annoying or frustrating our circumstances become, those who belong to Christ get to live in a glorious reality. We have been set free from sin and death, and now our eternal destiny is filled with goodness and life! Even now, we have every reason to be thankful. For every burden we bear, we have a dozen other blessings to praise God for, from the food on our table to the breath in our lungs. Keeping our gaze on Christ and his Kingdom provides a legitimate reason for us to give thanks in every circumstance.

We just need to open our eyes.

I will note here that there is a difference between grumbling and grief. You may currently be walking through a valley of deep suffering, and the word gratitude might seem cliché or dismissive of the pain you’re experiencing. That’s because there are seasons of life when it is appropriate to grieve. Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 4 says, “For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven . . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”

God is not dismissive of your pain. He doesn’t want you to grit your teeth and smile through the tears. He wants to walk through your suffering with you. If you are in a season of grief and finding it hard to be thankful, bring your broken heart before the Father. Whether you have words of praise or despair or rage, the Lord wants to hear them all and hold your hand through this valley.

One day, your heart will begin to heal, and gratitude will come more easily again.

Whether you are in a season of grief or simply battling the daily temptation to grumble, embrace the peace that gratitude brings by looking to Christ. Giving thanks to him will lighten your load and bring you back into the reality of his goodness. The chaos within you will transform into sweet contentment as you lift your hands in praise.

Prayer Prompt: Set your timer for ten minutes and begin to praise the Lord! Tell him specific things you’re thankful for and why you’re grateful for them. Try to focus solely on thanksgiving for the full ten minutes.

Journal Prompt: Write down ten things you’re grateful for and why. The next time you’re tempted to complain, or the next time you catch yourself grumbling, open your journal to this page and read the list aloud.