“There is no other virtue I would like to possess as much as the ability to be grateful. For gratitude is not only the
greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others”, Marcus Tullius Cicero – ancient Greek politician and philosopher.
“Gratitude” is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness (Oxford Dictionary). This word comes from Latin “gratus”, which means ‘pleasing, thankful’. It is always good to be pleasing to those around you. Moreover, we should multiply goodness through our words and actions towards people, thanks to whom new, good and necessary things come into our life. We have announced this year to be the Year of God’s Supernatural Opportunities. However, for these opportunities to never cease, but multiply, we must fulfil one condition: to always open our hands and hearts in grateful response for the services given to us.
According to a series of studies conducted by a group of scientists from Florida University in Tallahassee (USA) under
the lead of Professor Nathaniel Lambert, the degree of satisfaction in relationship between people depends on their ability to express gratitude verbally. The more people use the words of gratitude in the process of communication, the stronger their relationship become. When you have built a good relationship with someone, they are always willing to share the best they have with you. Relationship is perhaps the most important element in using opportunities.
Expressing gratitude is not only important for the recipient. Gratitude strengthens relationships increasing people’s
responsibility for each other.
“When you express gratitude, you are focusing on the good things that person has done for you,” says Professor
Lambert. “It makes you see them in a more positive light and helps you to focus on their good traits”.
We ought to express our gratitude to God and people on daily basis. It bears many advantages.
Gratitude gives us physical health.
Gratitude makes people happy.
Gratitude opens every door for us.
People, who express gratitude in their everyday life, have positive thinking, do not judge, live in peace with others, and progress faster in life.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”, 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
TO ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL MEANS TO ALWAYS BE HAPPY.
IT IS EASIER TO USE OPPORTUNITIES WHEN YOU ARE USED TO NOTICING KINDNESS AND EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR IT.
The feeling of happiness creates positive attitude towards life in us, which creates favourable conditions for seeing and using opportunities.
“Gratitude helps to direct your attention to happy events in your life and distracts you from the feeling of dissatisfaction.
It does not annul negative emotions, but prompts us to experience positive emotions drawing attention to our success and opportunities that open before us. As a result we begin to see life in a more positive light”, Margarita Zhamkochian,
psychotherapist.
Unfortunately, only 10% of people are able to show gratitude. The other 90% are either too selfish, or too arrogant, or too lofty to say the kind and strong words “THANK YOU” irrespective of whom they are addressed to – God or people.
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”, Philippians 4:11.
We must be able to thank God: for the rain, the sun and air, for friends, parents and people close to us. When gratitude ceases, one’s life and personality begin to decay.
“Gratitude is not the right of the one, who is being thanked, but the duty of the one, who thanks. It is foolish to demand
gratitude; however, not to be grateful is low”, Vasiliy Kluchevskiy, a Russian historian.
5 THINGS IT IS IMPORTANT TO EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE FOR
Whoever gives thanks for what they have received is worthy to receive another blessing, and vice versa.
1) GRATITUDE FOR OUR UNIQUENESS.
Individuality of each of us lays in the uniqueness and soleness of our personality. Our personality is unique and one of a kind because it is created by the image and likeness of God. Even for this, we must thank God. Being grateful for the fact that we are the image and likeness of God helps us to accept ourselves, and if we accept ourselves, then it is easier to accept opportunities that will come our way.
2) GRATITUDE FOR PARENTS.
Those, who have learned to be grateful and appreciative of their parents, find more opportunities on their life path. God Himself promised well-being and long years to those, who honour their parents.
3) WE MUST BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE EXPERIENCE, WHICH GOD ALLOWS US TO GO THROUGH IN
Gratitude for all experience allows us to make conclusions and draw lessons.
4) WE MUST BE GRATEFUL FOR THE THINGS WE OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED: for peace in the country we
live in; for the food on our table; for the house we live in; for health; for ability to walk on our feet, work with our hands, see and hear. All those things we usually notice only once we’ve lost them. As they say, “You never miss the water till the well runs dry”.
We must thank the people, who walk by our side. There is a danger in getting used to having someone always by our side, because we begin to think that it will always be like that; we take it for granted. However, we must be grateful to destiny, to God for every person, whom we meet on our way. It means that somebody needs us, and we need them; we are not alone.
“All our complaints about things we do not have stem from a lack of gratitude for what we have”, Daniel Defoe, English poet and publicist.
5) WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THE PEOPLE, WHO HAVE HELPED US EVEN ONCE.
We reap what we have sown. When we show gratitude towards other people, then those people automatically open the doors tonew and interesting opportunities in our lives. And the opposite is true. When we ignore the law of gratitude, we encourage people and the Universe to ignore us. The whole world will remain deaf and impervious to our plea for help, when we need it.
“The more often we thank people around us, the more they appreciate us, the better they treat us, and the more reasons we get to be thankful”, Robert Emmons, social psychologist
Be grateful for what you have today, while never ceasing to aspire to new heights.
”For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him”, Luke 19:26.
“Gratitude is never a burdensome feeling for the intelligent person”, Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton, English writer.
Never forget these two simple words “Thank you!” This way you can show love to God, to your friends and relatives, and also make another step on the path to acquiring new opportunities for happiness, prosperity, and health.
I wish you to remain among the wise people, who always show gratitude!
Senior Pastor of the Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations
Sunday Adelaja
In order to study this topic more thoroughly, I recommend reading the following books:
“Grateful heart”, “Life is an opportunity”, “How to avoid the greatest disappointment in life or Why it is important to honour parents while they are still alive”, “Hello, I am looking for problems” (University of Life).
Translated & Edited By
Camox Publishers,
Birmingham, England
Email: office@camoxpubhouse.co.uk
