Gratitude

OutlineWhat does ungratefulness look like?Why should we have a attitude of gratitude?How do move from ungratefulness to gratitude?

Lay Off LetterStart:It is with regret that I inform you that you are being laid off from your position

Ending: Best wishes for success in your future endeavors.

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he has, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get." Frank A. Clark

Ingratitude in the book of Exodus

We see the end result of ungratefulness:

The Golden Calf

Why should we be thankful or have an

attitude of gratitude?

Gratitude impacts your health!!!!!

Study Date Keeping a gratitude journal 16% fewer physical symptoms 19% more time spent exercising 10% less physical pain 5% more sleep 25% increased sleep quality

Counting Blessing

vs Burdens

2003

Gratitude visits reduced symptoms of depression by 35% Gratitude journal reduced symptoms of depression by 30%

Positive Psychology

Progress

2005

Significant reduction in hypertension symptoms if patients counted their blessings once a week.

Gratitude: Effects on

Perspective and Blood Pressure

2007

Levels of gratitude significantly correlated with levels of energy

Many

Why be Grateful?We shine like stars

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky  as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:14-16

Why be Grateful?We experience more of the presence of God

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalms 100:4

How can we move from ungratefulness to a life of gratitude?• Keep a gratitude journal• Keep your eyes on Jesus and not your circumstances• Know God is sovereign and desires good for us

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:31-33

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:34-35