Practice Gratitude

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Southeast Christian Church

Apr 6, 2023

Hebrews 12:28-29 states, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." Thankfulness is a practice that can be closely tied to worship. Many times, in our worship songs, we sing of being grateful for all God has done for us and continues to do throughout our lives. However, practicing thankfulness through worship doesn’t always need to be through song or singing.

Taking some intentional time in your day to write down a short (or long) list what you’re grateful for is also an act of worship. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” Even secular research shows us that people who practice gratefulness on a regular basis experience reduced stress and improved physical and mental health. By setting aside some time each day to prioritize thankfulness and thanksgiving, we are demonstrating to God that we understand and acknowledge all the ways he is working in our lives and all the graces that he provides us with, even despite our sins. God provides us so many good and wonderful gifts and experiences each day that they can become easy for us to overlook or even begin to believe we are owed them. The book of James tells us that our God is the giver of every good and perfect gift that we receive in our lives, and thankfulness is one way we can worship him for all he does for us.

Reflection/Discussion Questions: Do you regularly practice gratitude? What can you do to make it more a part of your daily routine?

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