The meaning of gratitude cannot be fully and genuinely understood through a simple dictionary definition. It goes far beyond that.
Gratitude transcends a mere definition. A deep understanding comes from an experience in your own life. Nor will we understand gratitude as effectively simply by listening to someone else’s story and their explanation of why they are grateful.
Fortunately, the simplest things in life teach us about gratitude. No elaborate explanation will be more effective than a simple experience.
As a small child learning to speak, you tell your mother you are thirsty. She prepares a wonderful little bottle of delicious orange juice, and you happily say, “Thank you, Mummy.” Examples like this can teach you about gratitude, day after day, experience after experience.
I would like to suggest an activity: Take a pen and paper now and make a list of five concrete events in your life that bring gratitude to mind.
After listing them, close your eyes and intentionally picture each of those events. Another suggestion is to look at a photograph from a meaningful time in your life.
From a perspective of gratitude, write a short sentence, or even a single word, that captures your whole feeling of thankfulness. Finally, follow Paul’s instruction and God’s own will, which, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, is to give thanks in all circumstances. Begin now to express your gratitude aloud in every circumstance, using the word or sentence you have created.
I will take the liberty of sharing my own sentence of gratitude: “God is good! Oh, how good he is!”
And what is yours?
Hugo Jordão
Kingdom Worship Team
