Pastor Aaron Perdue

Living with an attitude of gratitude isn’t easy, but I will share some tips based on a biblical perspective. It is much easier to be grateful when things are going well, but it is much harder to be thankful during adversity. To live day in and day out with an attitude of gratitude doesn’t come naturally. Let’s explore some common questions about gratitude and discover the truths we can learn from the Bible.

What does the Bible say about having an attitude of gratitude?
I like to use the phrase “attitude of gratitude” with my kids, but you won’t find that wording in the Bible. God’s Word acknowledges that life can be difficult, but numerous scriptures encourage the practice of gratitude. We don’t have to be grateful for the problems—we are grateful for God and His solution to the ultimate problem of sin. Our gratitude stems from what Christ did for us on the cross, where He took our sin and offered us salvation and eternal life with Him. In Colossians 2:6–7 it says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”

How did Jesus model gratitude?
The New Testament gives several examples of Jesus teaching His disciples to form the habit of thanking God for provision. The miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 people started when He held the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, and thanked God (Matthew 14:19). Jesus also gave thanks when He broke the bread at the Passover meal, referred to as the last supper (Matthew 26:26). Both of these are examples of gratitude for what God had provided in the form of food. Jesus also modeled thanking God for a miracle that was about to happen when Lazarus was raised from the dead (John 11:41–42). We demonstrate our faith when our gratitude to God precedes our answer from Him!

What are biblical examples of gratitude in hard times?
In 1 Samuel 30:1–26 we read that David faced a heart-wrenching experience at Ziklag. While he and his army were off in battle, raiders came, burned the city, and took their families captive. David’s men wanted to stone him. There was a heavy atmosphere, but we read that “David encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6). He had seen God’s help, provision, and faithfulness many times. Rather than give in to depression or fear, David encouraged himself when none of his friends would. No doubt, David reviewed some of his psalms and let his thoughts guide his heart to gratitude.

Paul certainly experienced very difficult situations as he traveled and preached. He was beaten and left for dead, imprisoned, bitten by a venomous snake, and shipwrecked. Yet, he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Paul also wrote Philippians 4:6–7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

What are some Psalms about gratitude?
I love reading the Psalms. As a musician, I admire that David wrote songs and poems expressing his gratitude for God’s faithfulness, provision, help, and love. Let’s look at some of those Psalms:

Psalm 92:1–2 It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 136:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Can gratitude be a form of worship?
Yes, according to Psalm 95:1–2, “Oh, come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” Worship is our expression of honor and praise to God for who He is. Thankfulness is a vital component of our worship. Interestingly, offering a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving through our pain is an offering of worship that we can only give God while we are here on the earth. Praise and gratitude will flow when we are in heaven, a place without any pain. Therefore, my decision to be grateful in my pain is a special gift I can offer to God now.

I encourage you to join me in living with an attitude of gratitude and watch it transform your situations and encourage those around you.

I’m grateful for Charis Christian Center, where we believe in the Bible and that Jesus is Lord. We offer specialized ministries for men, women, youth, and children throughout the month, where you can find encouragement and people willing to pray with you. Please look at our website (charischristiancenter.com) for more information about our service times, events, and free downloads of sermons and teachings, such as the 3-part audio and video teaching from Pastor Lawson Perdue, “Power of Thanksgiving.”