A Heart of Gratitude

1
A Heart of Gratitude

• Being thankful in all things,
• big and small

2
Gratitude for Everything

• In Ephesians 520, Paul said, In the name of our
  Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for
  everything to God the Father.
• How is it humanly possible to give thanks for
  everything?
• Can anyone express gratitude for a disastrous
  accident?

3
Gratitude for Everything

• What causes us to be unthankful?
• Discontentment
• Comparison with others
• Envy of others
• Expectations not met
• Greed
• Complaints

4
Gratitude for Everything

• Gratitude is one of the real secrets of life!
• Gratitude makes you feel abundant!
• Im grateful. Im full of gratitude. Why?
• Did I strike the lottery? Nope. But.

5
Gratitude for Everything

• I am alive!
• I have a roof over my head
• I have a family and many good friends
• I have all the coffee I can drink
• I have music that I can sing along to
• I can roll the window down and let the wind blow
  my hair
• I have many clothes and shoes

6
Gratitude for Everything

• I am certainly not rich, but I have a lot of
  stuff.
• I have problems, BUT I have a God who loves me,
  and who has given me enduring hope.
• I have His Word, and prayer, and second chances.
  
• I usually feel okay most of the time.

7
Under Gods Wings

• After a forest fire in Yellowstone National
  Park, forest rangers trek up a mountain to assess
  the inferno's damage.
• One ranger found a bird literally petrified in
  ashes, perched on the ground at the base of a
  tree.
• Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked
  over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck
  it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their
  dead mother's wings.

8
Under Gods Wings

• The loving mother, keenly aware of the impending
  disaster, had carried her offspring to the base
  of the tree and gathered them under her wings,
  instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would
  rise.
• She could have flown to safety but refused to
  abandon her babies. The blaze and heat had
  scorched her small body, but the mother remained
  steadfast. Because she had been willing to die,
  so those under the cover of her Wings would live.

9
Under Gods Wings

• He will cover you with his feathers, and under
  his wings. You will find refuge." (Psalm 914)
• Being loved this much should make a difference
  in your life! Thats something to be thankful
  for!
• Remember the One who loves you, and then be
  different because of it.

10
Gods Affirmation

• You say  Its not worth it.
• God says  It will be worth it.  (Romans 828)
• You say  I cant manage.
• God says  I will provide for your needs.
• (Philippians 419)
• You say  Im afraid.
• God says  I will give you strength and love.
• (II Timothy 17)
• You say  Im always worried and frustrated.
• God says  Cast all your cares on Me. (1 Peter
  57)

11
Gods Affirmation

• You say  Im not smart enough.
• God says  I give you wisdom. (1 Corinthians
  130)
• You say  I cant forgive myself.
• God says  I forgive you. (1 John 19 Romans
  81)
• You say  I feel all alone.
• God says  I will never leave you or forsake you.
  
• (Hebrews 135)
• You say  I dont feel loved.
• God says  I love you. (John 36)

12
An Attitude of Gratitude
13
An Attitude of Gratitude

• Why will being grateful enlarge, enrich and
  empower your life?

14
An Attitude of Gratitude

• GET THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
• An attitude of gratitude can positively affect
  yourself, your relationships, even your health

15
An Attitude of Gratitude

• Grateful people take better care of themselves
  and engage in more protective health behavior
  like regular exercise, a healthy diet, regular
  physical examinations.

16
An Attitude of Gratitude

• Gratitude research is beginning to suggest that
  feelings of thankfulness have tremendous positive
  value in helping people cope with daily problems,
  especially stress

17
An Attitude of Gratitude

• A grateful heart focuses on what it has, not
  what it lacks.
• Gratitude has the power to transform your
  outlook and open your eyes to lifes fullness.

18
An Attitude of Gratitude

• Try growing an attitude of gratitude. See if you
  will feel happier and richer as the days go by.

19
Is there something bothering you?
20
Does studying annoy you?
Not them!
21
Hate veggies?
They starve from hunger!
22
They die from it!
On a diet?
23
Are you tired of your parents overwhelming love?
They dont have any!
24
Bored of the same games?
They have no option!
25
This is ALL they have!!!
Wished you had Nike instead of Adidas?
26
Complaining of your bed?
They dont even have one!!!
27
Are you still complaining?
28
Observe around you and be thankful for all that
you have
29
Let us complain less and reflect more!
30

• What do you have that youre thankful for?

31
Reflection

• Take a moment now to reflect about the things in
  your life that you are grateful for.
• List them down on a piece of paper.
• Share them with everyone