How do you show gratitude? Can you honestly say your gratefulness points others to Christ?

For most, the act of gratitude is only displayed during monumental occasions - when a surprise shower is thrown for you, when you are given a promotion, or maybe when you receive financial help unexpectedly. It’s only natural (and courteous) to show how thankful you are during these great moments in your life where someone else is strictly responsible for showing you kindness.

But what about the small occasions - having a door held for you when you are carrying a load, when someone points out how nice your outfit is, or when your child hands you a beautiful weed for the millionth time this week. In these moments, do you really show how thankful you are or do you go through the motions of smiling, quickly saying thank you and moving on to the next moment in life?

Gratitude is an important and key part to our emotions, day in and day out. It affects us positively, as well as those shown thankfulness in return for their actions.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, New International Version)

Being intentional about thanksgiving in all things, big or small, can drastically transform your life and the life of those around you. For saying “thank you” and actually showing it ushers in the Holy Spirit, cultivating an atmosphere where God is front and center for all to see, feel and abide in.

“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, NIV)

Let us not only be stewards of thankfulness, but producers of times where others can be as well. Doing unto others as you would have done to you is not just a statement we say to children when we want them to share, but a vital statement to live by well into adulthood.

Creating a culture of servitude around you everywhere you go, whether in an environment of friends and family or around strangers, is the first step to living out gratitude as God calls us to.

“But thanks be to God! He always leads us triumphantly by the Messiah[a] and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of knowing him.” (2 Corinthians 2:14, International Standard Version)

Creating a Culture of Gratitude