When we think about the benefits of gratitude, we often think about the recipient of our gratitude. We think that gratitude is meant to encourage and thank the gift-giver. While this is certainly one of the purposes of gratitude, it is not the only purpose of gratitude. You see gratitude not only impacts the recipient of our gratitude. Gratitude also changes us when we choose to show our gratitude.
Yesterday in our Bible study, we looked at the healing of a group of 10 men who had leprosy, a crippling skin disease, in Luke 17. When Jesus saw these men, he told them to go present themself to the priests (verse 14). The Bible teaches that as these men were on their way to the priests, they were healed (verse 14). One of these men, a Samaritan man, realized that he had been healed from leprosy and went back to Jesus to thank Him (verses 15-16). In response, Jesus said, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” (verses 17-18). This man was the only person to choose gratitude. Next, Jesus said something very important, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well” (verse 19). Now, this man was already physically healed. Jesus must have been talking about a deeper healing. This man’s gratitude, which led to faith, led to a healing far greater than his physical healing. It led to a heart healing.
Just like gratitude impacted this Samaritan man, gratitude impacts us when we choose to show it. Gratitude makes us keenly aware of the gifts we are given every day and leads us with a sense of contentment and joy. Gratitude forces us to let go of bitterness and loneliness. It changes our hearts to become more focused on what we have, not what we do not.
Maybe today, you need a heart change that is brought about by gratitude. Maybe you need a reminder to focus on the gifts that you have rather than what you do not have. Maybe you need a reminder to say “thank you” right away when you are given a gift. If you decide to choose gratitude today, you will experience change from the inside out.
Go on a walk today. As you walk, reflect on the gifts that God has given you. Reflect on the gifts God has given you and everything you have to be grateful for. There is so much we have to be grateful for.
"Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" 19 And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you."
The Coming of the Kingdom
20 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the Kingdom of God come?"
Jesus replied, "The Kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs. 21 You won't be able to say, 'Here it is!' or 'It's over there!' For the Kingdom of God is already among you."
22 Then he said to his disciples, "The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the Son of Man returns, but you won't see it. 23 People will tell you, 'Look, there is the Son of Man,' or 'Here he is,' but don't go out and follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so it will be on the day when the Son of Man comes. 25 But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation.
26 "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. 27 In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.
28 "And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business-eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building- 29 until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Yes, it will be 'business as usual' right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. 32 Remember what happened to Lot's wife! 33 If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. 34 That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left."
37 "Where will this happen, Lord?" the disciples asked.
Jesus replied, "Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near."
