Gratitude: Before the Blessing

“Be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Gratitude. It means having a heart of thankfulness. It’s important in our daily Christian walk. It takes the focus off of self and reminds us that it is by God’s hand alone that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. (James 1:17)

At times, it’s so easy to focus on what we DON’T have. Comparison and coveting what we see others have can steal our joy – can distract us. Some of the things we long for may not even be bad but can become an idol when we don’t get the blessing we want right away.

Sure, I can give thanks when I see my bank account is full, food is on the table, when what I’ve prayed for has come to fruition, but what about when I'm in the waiting? 

Waiting for the blessing to arrive? For the prayer to be answered? 

Does that mean I no longer have anything to be thankful for?

Without gratitude, we begin to complain and whine about all that we DON’T have. 

Without gratitude, the focus shifts off of God’s goodness of who He is and is placed on our selves and what we “lack”.

Without gratitude, we forget to give praise and glory due His name, and become selfish “me-monsters”.

When we thank God before any blessing arrives, we are standing on His truths. We are saying that even before something comes, God is still good and His Word is greater than what we're waiting for.

Gratitude BEFORE it happens is faith. 

Gratitude BEFORE He answers is understanding God is always working for our good. (Rom 8:28)

Gratitude BEFORE the blessings even come is fulfilling our calling as adopted sons and daughters to give praise to our King.

Thanking God is faith in action. 

It is the very language of faith.

It is trusting in God’s promises knowing that they are true.

So, if the blessing hasn’t arrived, if the thing you’ve been waiting for hasn’t come yet, what do you have to be thankful for?

Our God is faithful.

He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)

He is faithful and just to complete what He began in you. (Philippians 1:6)

That God HAS BEEN faithful.

Thank You Lord for dying on the cross for my sins and calling me into Your family. For taking my sin and shame and placing it on Your blameless shoulders. For setting me free from the pit of hell and putting death to death that sin has no hold on me.

That God STILL IS faithful.

Thank You Lord for Your mercies that are new every morning. For the very breath that I breathe. For Your forgiveness and kindness towards me. For Your faithfulness and for Your words of truth that You will never leave me nor forsake me.

That God WILL BE faithful.

Thank You Lord that You are coming back again for Your Bride. That You are preparing a place for me to live with You in eternity. 

I encourage you, when the moments of prayer time that feel empty and you don’t know what to say, pray through these verses.

Psalm 107:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

Psalm 100:4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 “Pray without ceasing, in EVERYTHING give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at ALL times.”

Ephesians 5:19-20 “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Lamentations 3:22-25 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 

His mercies never come to an end; 

they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks Him.”

We have every reason to thank the Lord.

So, remember, during this season of thankfulness to be filled with gratitude.

Maintaining an attitude of gratitude at all times – even before the blessing.

~ Words by Kissy Black