"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thes. 5:18

This is gratitude is action. Gratitude is God’s will for us and gratitude brings much benefit to us. Realizing how much we have, how blessed we are, how wonderful it is to belong to Jesus, this brings joy, thankfulness, and gratefulness.

A friend recently told me of a practice that bolsters gratitude. “Take a piece of paper and divide into 3 columns. In the left hand column write down your true needs. In the middle column write down your wants, and in the third write down what you have."

An honest evaluation of each can foster gratitude as we see how few our real needs are, and how much God has given us. This includes such things as sight, hearing, balance, walking, hands that work, shelter, clothing, friends and family, meaningful work, protection. And beyond this salvation, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, being a child of God, belonging to Jesus, having worth, security, protection, and purpose, plus having eternal life, a certain future and great peace.

These are all  gifts, showing the love and grace of our God. This brings me  to the conclusion of Asaph in Psalm 73, “Whom have I in heaven but you and there is nothing I desire on earth besides you!” That is the highest form of gratitude!

May we cultivate that gratitude through this whole year, giving glory to God, goodness to  ourselves and light to those around us.