The Significance of Gratitude
Everybody agrees that cultivating an perspective of gratitude and practising thanksgiving is essential and useful. Secular analysis experiences that gratitude improves bodily and psychological well being, facilitates relationships, and reduces stress.[1] Conversely, the apostle Paul explains in Romans 1:18-32 that not giving thanks results in futile considering, darkened hearts, corrupt lives, and God’s judgment. These frequent grace and biblical causes ought to actually be of curiosity to counselees.
However after all, a very powerful cause for giving thanks will not be about us in any respect. It’s about God’s worthiness. Because the psalmist says, “Give because of the LORD, for he’s good, for his steadfast love endures perpetually” (Ps. 136:1). We give thanks as a result of, because the Westminster Confession explains, it’s a major method we “glorify God and luxuriate in him perpetually.”
A Gratitude Primer
Let’s learn Psalm 138 to look at six causes for counselors and counselees to precise gratitude to God.
Psalm 138
I offer you thanks, O Lord, with my entire coronary heart;
earlier than the gods I sing your reward;
I bow down towards your holy temple
and provides because of your title in your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
for you’ve exalted above all issues
your title and your phrase.
On the day I known as, you answered me;
my energy of soul you elevated.
All of the kings of the earth shall offer you thanks, O Lord,
for they’ve heard the phrases of your mouth,
and so they shall sing of the methods of the Lord,
for excellent is the glory of the Lord.
For although the Lord is excessive, he regards the lowly,
however the haughty he is aware of from afar.
Although I stroll within the midst of hassle,
you protect my life;
you stretch out your hand towards the wrath of my enemies,
and your proper hand delivers me.
The Lord will fulfill his function for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures perpetually.
Don’t forsake the work of your palms.
Six Causes We Categorical Gratitude to God
1. We give because of God for His steadfast love and faithfulness (v. 2).
“Steadfast love” (used roughly 250 instances within the OT) interprets to the Hebrew phrase “hesed”: His covenant faithfulness and dedication to our everlasting good. Whereas we have to know and thank God for all His attributes, the Puritans have been fond of claiming that solely His tender mercies and lovingkindness can soften, win, and alter our hearts. Greater than anything, we lengthy to be fully identified and fully cherished. That is what God provides in His steadfast love.
2. We give because of God as a result of He has exalted His title and Phrase above all issues (v.2).
We people are pure worshipers, “exalters.” We lengthy to raise somebody or one thing increased, higher, stronger, extra lovely than ourselves and rejoice! Reward! Delight! That’s why we watch Nationwide Championships or Tremendous Bowl, argue about politics or the perfect rock guitarist, and skim articles concerning the 100 most influential individuals. However God is an exalter, too. If we need to know and exult in what He says is infinitely good, true, and delightful, it’s His title and His Phrase. And His title and His Phrase level us to His Son—Jesus Christ!
“To start with was the Phrase (discover: his title is “the Phrase”), and the Phrase was with God, and the Phrase was God….And the Phrase grew to become flesh and dwelt amongst us, and we’ve seen his glory, glory as of the one Son from the Father, stuffed with grace and reality” (John 1:1-2, 14).
Christ is the last word exaltation of God’s title and Phrase.
3. We give because of God as a result of after we name on Him, He solutions us and strengthens our souls (v. 3)
Not like trendy medical practices, companies, and organizations that may put us on maintain or disconnect us, after we name on God, we get by way of straight away—to the “Fantastic Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Identical day service: “On the day that I known as….” What number of instances have I taken a break at work (throughout the day) or at residence (usually within the night) to name on God for knowledge or energy? I really like that there is no such thing as a want to attend for tomorrow’s enterprise hours or till I’m extra coherent, collectively, or faith-filled. He at all times solutions. Typically by reorienting us to the large image, generally by giving us phrases to hope (psalms!); generally by lifting us proper up out of chairs and us proper up out of our burdens.
4. We give because of God as a result of the entire world will finally hear His phrase, sing of His methods, and glorify Him (vv. 4-5).
The Father has promised His Son, the Messiah, “Ask of me, and I’ll make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession” (Ps. 2:8). This brings nice glory to Christ and provides nice which means and perspective to our lives and ministries. We’re contributors in God’s mission to exalt His Son and save sinners; due to this fact, we’ve one thing better and grander to dwell for, even undergo for, than this world provides. What a privilege to be a part of a kingdom enterprise that’s God-glorifying, Christ-exalting, and all-satisfying!
5. We give thanks as a result of the Most Excessive God regards, preserves, and delivers His humble saints (vv. 6-7).
These two verses reveal what Jonathan Edwards would name God’s “numerous excellencies”: His superior majesty (“Although the LORD is excessive”) and His tender mercy (“He regards the lowly”). I really like how David describes the lifetime of a believer: “Although I stroll within the midst of hassle, you protect my life.” So life like and but so hopeful. Typically, we really feel surrounded by troubles as we “stroll by way of the valley of the shadow of demise” (Ps. 23:4). And but, particularly as we glance again over our shoulders, we see that the Lord has accompanied us, protected us, and turned our troubles to treasure. What number of instances has the Lord “stretched out His hand and delivered us from our enemies” after we have been completely unaware?
6. We give because of God as a result of, in His steadfast love, He’ll fulfill His function for every considered one of us (v. 8).
It is a vastly essential counseling reality. There’s a lot stress on individuals right this moment to uncover their identification and fulfill their future. This pervasive stress and frequent sense of failure is one massive cause why many individuals search counseling. The necessity to plot out our personal future after which succeed at it’s usually insufferable and unsustainable for 3 causes. First, life will not be primarily about us or our private quest for achievement. It’s about one thing a lot greater and higher. We are able to’t bear the load of being the middle of our personal lives; solely God can. We’re the supporting actors in His story, not vice-versa. Second, infinite potential identities, destinies, and methods of falling brief exist. It may be completely overwhelming. Lastly, after we fail, which we’ll, forgiving ourselves or in search of forgiveness from others received’t reduce it. Solely God’s forgiveness can cleanse and restore. However how liberating and hopeful that “the LORD will fulfill His function for me.” Paul says, and we affirm by expertise, that His will is “good and acceptable and ideal” (Rom. 12:2). How lovely to get to the top of a lifetime of trusting God and following Jesus with no regrets!
Questions for Reflection
- Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice at all times, pray with out ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” How are you personally doing on this? We are able to’t encourage what we don’t observe.
- What cause(s) in Psalm 138 have been particularly encouraging to you? Why?
- How might you utilize Psalm 138 to assist counselees develop an perspective of gratitude?
[1] Amy Morin, “Seven Scientifically Confirmed Advantages of Gratitude,” Psychology At present, April 3, 2015,
www.psychologytoday.com/us/weblog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201504/7-scientifically-proven-benefits-of-gratitude?
