An Attitude of Gratitude

It’s archery deer season, and bowhunting is one of my favorite activities —as well as, fly fishing and cooking and serving wild game to family and friends. So I’ve been spending a lot of time in the woods lately, which gives me lots of time to think while I’m waiting for dinner to arrive (so to speak). By the way, don’t get me wrong; I love all of God’s creatures, however some of them I mostly love right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

Yesterday at dawn in the autumn woods, it was noiseless, peacefully serene and the leaves were spectacular in color. It was as if I was sitting in a beautiful golden cathedral—a cathedral more magnificent than any built by human hands. I’ve been to beautiful cathedrals in Florence, Rome and the Vatican—to cathedrals that literally took several centuries to build. None could compare to the cathedral God graciously built and blessed me with eyesight to delight in with Him yesterday morning. For me, it was a truly a special time of contentment, gratitude and worship..

It also got me thinking about something G.K. Chesterton wrote in his autobiography. Chesterton was a prolific English writer, poet and journalist known for his intellectual wit and religious arguments. Some say he was the best writer of the 20th century —and he had a significant influence on several notable thinkers including C.S. Lewis.

G.K. Chesterton said the most important thing he had learned, he claimed, was that the critical factor in life is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude. One of my first thoughts was the timing of reading this while at the same time I’m involved in a Bible study regarding what the Bible says about contentment. That Thursday-morning study, by the way, is with several other FATC guys and is part of the Legacy Builders Operation Paul.

It seems to me that gratitude and contentment are deeply connected, with gratitude serving as the key driver of contentment, I’ve found that practicing gratitude shifts focus from what is lacking to what is already present, cultivating a feeling of satisfaction with life. In turn, this appreciation leads to a sense of peace and fulfillment, while a lack of gratitude can lead to feelings of envy and a constant desire for more.

While gratitude is a measure of our perspective on the things we already have, contentment is a measure of our perspective on the things we don’t have. It’s being able to say we want nothing more no matter how much or little we have. But how is that possible? How can we ever genuinely say that we could want no more if we were to have almost nothing?

I believe, and so do several of the writers of the Bible like Paul and James, that such true contentment is only possible with a full dependence on Jesus. In other words, for those who have trusted in Him to be their Lord and Savior, every earthly thing can be taken from us, but Jesus can never be. We can always trust that He is all we need because His promises are for eternity; our earthly time is but a mist (James 4:14).

Isn’t it amazing that as a society we go from gratitude in November to more, more, more in December? What’s more amazing is that for Christ followers, like me, we’ve already been given the most we can have; the birth of Jesus. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the November counting of blessings naturally segued into the December counting of all the things we don’t need in light of the birth of Jesus?

Of course like any other gift we receive, it’s only beneficial to us if we open it. Jesus gift is offered to all who would receive it and choose to trust in His offer of eternal life. It’s the gift we all need, but we don’t all recognize our need.

Years ago, when God allowed my life to hit rock bottom, I accepted His gift and I choose to trust in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. It’s the best gift I’ve ever received and it’s the gift that keeps on giving. I am eternally grateful and since that time I have found true contentment.

And here’s a closing thought: I believe gratitude for the ultimate gift — eternal life and a relationship with the God of the Universe —should be more than a warm feeling. It should be an expressed gratitude. It’s been said, “We should count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.” Well, I’ve been blessed, so I want to be a blessing to others.

Although any day and everyday is a good day to count your blessings, Thanksgiving Day is a day our nation has set aside especially for that purpose. Maybe it’s a good day to start to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. So what are your thoughts about gratitude and contentment?

What do you think? Share your thoughts on the FATC FORUM about this or whatever is on your mind. And please contact me if you would like to hear more about the Legacy Builders Operation Paul Study. Remember…It isn’t just about the fly fishing.

John Muckerman

FATC Inspirational and Leadership Lead