FIND SOMETHING TO BE GRATEFUL FOR IN PEOPLE

Some years ago, I came back from a conference organized by a ministry. The convener poured out his heart and showed us things that many would not mention. They were so sensitive and profound that the meeting was not recorded in any form.

When I got back to base, I searched for the convener on Social Media and sent a message of gratitude for the lessons and how it has helped a young minister like myself. He was so glad to read from me that he sent his phone contact so I could keep in touch with him.

What do you do after a teaching has blessed your life? Do you just say “Hmmm”, “Wow” and similar sounds? Some even move on with saying anything. It is a terrible thing. As much as your pastor must not be an addict to human validation, he must also not be starved of your appreciation.

Gratitude is a door opener. Find something to be grateful for in people. Find something to be grateful for in your spouse. Find something to be grateful for in that “wicked boss”. Once you find a point of gratitude, you will find a point of leverage. You will find out how to be graceful towards people.

A person that is well appreciated can also be easily shown areas that need improvements. We are easily wired to forget the positive contributions of people once they do something unpleasant. Suddenly, they become terrible people. Quarrels cannot be sustained by grateful souls.

Walk into the bank and say a kind word to the teller or the person in customer care before you vent that grievance. I know you do not like security officers but find something in them to be grateful for.

Gratitude should be deliberate. Process it. Plan it. There are times when it should be impromptu but there are times when it must be deliberate.

Compose a message today to tell your pastor how they have been a blessing to your life. You can then plan to bless your pastor materially subsequently.

Pause at work today and send a message of gratitude to your spouse. I know some of them will be shocked but it is a good surprise. Gratitude breaks communication barriers. It lightens up the souls.

One of the things you must ask the Lord is the spirit of gratitude.

Jesus acknowledged that men with the spirit of gratitude are very scarce. There were ten lepers healed but only one returned to show gratitude. Jesus had to ask, “Where are the remaining nine?”

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
Luke 17:15‭-‬18 NKJV

He returned with a loud voice. Gratitude must not just be spoken, it must be loud!

Who needs to hear from you now?