Gratitude: How to Gain a Good Attitude
In his letters within the New Testament, Paul typically expressed gratitude by listing things for which he was thankful. Not only did Paul demonstrate gratitude, but he also gave us clear instructions that it is the will of God for us to be thankful in all circumstances. This scripture is key to understanding gratitude and how to gain a good attitude.
“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Please note that he did NOT instruct us to be thankful for all circumstances; however, we should find something for which to be thankful regardless of our circumstances. We should have gratitude which will help us have a good attitude.
Here is an example of how gratitude can lead to a good attitude.
When I was in a bad mood as a child, my mom would make me name 10 things for which I was thankful. One time, I remember responding with “nothing.” My mother calmly and kindly asked, “Well, are you thankful for your legs that allow you to walk?” After I pondered that for a moment, she asked, “Are you thankful that your eyes work properly?” I immediately thought of a schoolmate that was blind, and I felt sadness and empathy for him. Yes, I was certainly thankful I could see the world around me. Within just a few moments, my attitude began to slowly change. Mom guided me through this process until I had named 10 things for which I was thankful. This taught me that pursuing gratitude is how to gain a good attitude.
Creating a habit of gratitude requires repetition, repetition, and more repetition.
My mom led me through this thankful exercise more times than I can count. In fact, after a short time, she would only have to say, “Name 10 things,” and I knew exactly what to do. Quite honestly, I don’t know how she didn’t grow weary of prompting me. I, personally, find myself becoming agitated after I have repeated something to my teenager just a few times, much less, hundreds of times. Apparently, she knew that for me to truly learn and implement something for myself, I had to hear it over and over again just like any other kid.
Notice the passage in Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
How are we instructed to teach our children? Diligently. Merriam-Webster defines diligence as characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort; painstaking.
According to this scripture, when are we to diligently teach our children? When we are in our houses, when we are outside of our houses, before we sleep, and when we wake are all times that we should teach our children. In other words, we are to instruct our children ALL of the time and with endless repetition.
Teaching your child a habit of gratitude will help him gain a good attitude throughout his life.
By the time I was a young adult and whenever I found myself in a negative or upsetting circumstance, I would immediately think of at least one or two positive things for which I was thankful; even though, I had no prompting. My mind just automatically began gravitating toward gratitude. Now that I am in my forties, this habit of gratitude often refocuses my perspective when I am faced with difficulties.
Recently, my mom was sharing some upsetting news with me over the phone. At the conclusion, she sighed and stated, “Well, as my daughter, Melissa, always says, ‘In the scheme of things, it’s not as bad as it seems, and it could be worse.'” Next, she named some things for which she was thankful, and we shared a much needed hearty laugh.
You can always find some good.
Sometimes we can become so focused on the bad things that are going on in our lives that we miss the good things. If you find yourself in a situation in which you truly can’t find anything good on which to focus, begin to think about God. He is certainly good, and He has good things planned for your future. He has already done wonderful things for you. He sent His only son, Jesus, to die an innocent death just so that you could have a personal relationship with Him. What’s even more amazing is that Jesus willingly endured terrible things so that this could be accomplished. He took all of the blame for any mistake you have ever made and will ever make in the future. Because of Jesus, there is nothing that can separate you from the love of God.