The other day, I was humming a gospel tune that our choir used to sing many years ago. The words went like this:
“I’m so grateful, I’m mighty grateful;
The LORD has (blessed) me another day.”
The memory got me thinking about thankfulness and gratefulness (or gratitude). They seem like multiple words for the same thing, but are they? Some say yes, but I disagree.
There is an important nuance between being grateful and being thankful. According to the experts, the word “grateful” implies a feeling of deep appreciation, often reflecting a general state of thankfulness—an “attitude of gratitude.” An attitude that can’t help but be expressed and even modifies one’s behavior.
On the other hand, “thankful” is typically used to indicate appreciation for a specific gift or benefit, and that’s that. It’s like the appropriate counterpart to a kindness shown—a gift is given, and “thanks” is expected to follow. Being thankful is a very good thing, but it centers more on the GIFT, whereas being grateful tends to focus beyond to the GIVER.
Thankfulness is a feeling that could—but isn’t necessarily—expressed outwardly. However, gratitude is something that rises up in the heart and begs to acknowledge the positive impact something or someone has had on one’s life. In essence, thankfulness pays its own bill—but gratitude imparts a sense of perpetual indebtedness.
It’s interesting that the word “gratitude” is not mentioned in (KJV) Scripture. But, in fact, it IS. Every time that Scripture mentions εὐχαριστία (eucharistía), it means “gratitude; to be actively grateful as an act of worship to God.”
“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with [gratitude.]” (Colossians 2:7 KJV)
“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye [grateful].” (Colossians 3:15 KJV)
“In every thing [be grateful,] for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)
In the story of Corrie Ten Boom, it was this Scriptural admonition that caused her and her sister, Betsie, to disagree—temporarily. While interred in a Nazi concentration camp, the sisters had plenty of reason to be fearful. But Betsie suggested that they resist the spirit of fear and replace it with the power of gratitude.
Corrie had no problem being thankful for the fact that the sisters had been able to stay together, to keep their forbidden Bible, and to share the gospel with so many others. But when Betsie suggested that being “grateful for everything” included the fleas in their barracks, that’s when Corrie balked. She could be thankful for many specific things, but she had not allowed gratitude to flow beyond what she understood. Ultimately, her thanks did turn to gratitude when she saw God’s purpose in the odious flees—they had kept the guards out of the barracks, allowing their Bible studies and prayer meetings to continue unhindered.
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with [gratitude.] (Colossians 4:2 KJV)
There is power that is unleashed when we allow ourselves to be more than thankful—to be GRATEFUL. Here are some ways that GRATITUDE empowers us:
- It gets our eyes off ourselves and the things we’ve been given—to see beyond the gifts to the ultimate Giver: GOD.
- It reminds us that Almighty GOD is in control—and we are not. It keeps us in a place of humility as we recognize our daily dependence on Him.
- It helps us to remember our TRUE Source. “Every good and perfect gift” is not given because we deserve it but because GOD IS GOOD. He fills our lives with blessings, big and small, so fresh from His Hand that they have His fingerprints all over them. As we focus on the light of GOD’s goodness, we become blinded to the badness around us.
- It reminds us that GOD delights in being our Provider. We were never intended to be self-sufficient in this life. “God helps those who help themselves” is NOT Scriptural truth. Rather, a grateful heart recalls that He alone is the ultimate Provider of all we need, and He doesn’t need our help to do it.
- It fills our hearts so completely that it leaves no room for selfishness. A heart full of gratitude is a heart full of light that can only shine one direction—outward. It is impossible to be truly grateful and have a complaining spirit at the same time.
- It is a powerful weapon against evil. Each piece of spiritual armor mentioned in Ephesians 6 (truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the gospel of peace, and the Word) is a GIFT from GOD. When worn and wielded with gratitude, they repel the enemy. Satan hates a grateful heart for it renders him powerless. He will flee from it.
- It is an antidote to fear and anxiety, thereby improving our overall health and wellbeing. In fact, studies have shown that a consistent mindset of gratitude will release negative emotions, reduce pain, improve sleep quality, mitigate feelings of despair, and replace gloom with a sense of peace.
- It builds our faith. Author Ann Voskamp, in her book, One Thousand Gifts, described how jotting down in a “gratitude journal” simple blessings noticed throughout her day enhanced her faith. It’s true. As we find more reasons to be grateful, we find that our faith in God grows. Ann notes that gratitude is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives. It is the manifestation of our YES! to His will, His way, and His grace. THAT is our FAITH!
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with [gratitude] let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6 KJV)
In this season of THANKSGIVING, let’s allow our hearts to go beyond simply giving thanks to being more than thankful. Let’s throw up our hands and say with the angels, “Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and [GRATITUDE,] and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 7:12 KJV)
