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How do we cultivate of a mentality of gratitude throughout life? Why is it important that we do so? Certainly, it makes us more pleasant for other people to be around, but that’s not the real reason why God cares about our gratitude. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West delve into the reasons why the Bible calls God’s people to be thankful. They discuss how Christ-followers can be honest about their pain and struggles without grumbling against God.
Key Points from the Podcast
• Finger-pointing and blame-shifting are common in these days, so someone who is content and confident in what they have in life will be noteworthy to the world.
• When we start to believe that our goals are God’s goals, we will often run into failure and then feel bitterness over our lost ambitions.
• Gratitude is born out of a correct perspective on God and the salvation he offered us as well as what each one of us truly deserve from the Lord, which is judgment.
• Developing an attitude of gratitude is like working out a muscle, purposefully remembering God’s promises and gifts, deliberately thanking Christ for all that he’s done for us, and focusing on what really matters in life.
• Sometimes grumbling can feel justified because a real injustice or harm has happened in our lives; however, as believers, we still have the greatest gift imaginable in our salvation that will deserve our gratitude regardless of what else happens to us.
• Certain passages of scripture, particularly in the psalms, can be good examples of struggling honestly with certain hardships in life while still holding gratitude for what God has given us and done for us.
• A good determiner for whether we’re honestly struggling with an issue or whether we’re grumbling is who we turn to in those moments. Are we talking to someone who will simply sympathize and become upset with us, or are we sharing with someone who will give us good advice or be honest with us about our part in the situation?
Bible Verses Referenced in the Podcast
Genesis 4:6-7, 1 Peter 4:7-10, Psalm 32
Episodes in this Podcast Series
About Joshua West
Joshua West serves as the Church Leadership Network Director at World Challenge helping equip and empower pastors all over the world. Joshua’s desire is to raise up ministers who will correctly and boldly preach the word with passion and integrity. The point of all his work and writings is to preach the gospel, glorify God and to teach sound doctrine.
