Grounded in Gratitude

“Now that you have welcomed the Anointed One, Jesus the Lord, into your lives, continue to journey with Him and allow Him to shape your lives. Let your roots grow down deeply in Him, and let Him build you up on a firm foundation. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always spill over with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 Voice

Gratitude. Thanksgiving. These words surround us at this time of year, and society as a whole seems to lighten. Gratitude and thankfulness have a way of doing this, and it makes sense. The more we focus on the good in our lives, the easier it is to be joyful and kind. However, as followers of Jesus, we are called to be people of thanksgiving all the time. So the question is…what is the reason for your thankfulness? What is its source? Is it rooted in the temporal things of earth? If so, you will find that your feelings of gratitude will rise and fall based on the circumstances of your day. Joy and peace will also come and go. BUT if our thankfulness is rooted in the One who gave his life for us, we will discover an abundant life! Streams of gratitude, joy and peace will flow from our hearts when we are sourced by the river of life!

Of course we are to be thankful for the good things in our life, but there may be days when it is hard to see them. It is at those times that we must remember to keep our gaze fixed upon the One who is ever-present with us. He never abandons us. When we remember that He is working in and through all things, even those circumstances we find less than ideal, we find it easier to have grateful hearts. Our gratitude will flow from what He has done in the past, is doing in the present, and will do in the future.

I’m grateful for you, friend. Thank you for allowing me to lead you through the practice of Holy Yoga, a bible study, or a retreat…or for simply allowing me to offer up a little encouragement now and then through my writing. May this Thanksgiving Day find you and your loved ones with hearts filled with love, joy, peace and…of course, gratitude!

“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” Psalms 13:5-6 ESV