I am so excited to be hosting THANKFUL THURSDAY once again. I always look forward to spending Thursday's with my sisters in Christ as we all share our grateful hearts. As we enter into THE MONTH of gratefulness ... the month leading up to Thanksgiving, I couldn't help wonder if I am truly grateful or am I just merely gratified?
Evidently, there is a difference between the two. And indeed an important difference.
Gratified or Grateful?
When my focus is on being "gratified", I am focusing on me! What makes "me" happy? What makes "me" look good?
Me, me, me! It's all about me!
However, when I focus on being grateful, I am focusing on God. He is the giver of good things. Even when things seem "bad" in my life, He still brings something good out of it. Having gratitude is being able to see God in our life. Not focusing on the problem but rejoicing in His answer!
1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
These next few weeks as you contemplate the dinner guest list, the decorations and the trimmings around your Thanksgiving table, take time to reflect on your heart of thanks ... are you thankful because you are gratified or because you are truly grateful?
There is a difference.
Join your grateful heart with ours today for TT by linking up your post below. Let's all try to encourage one another by a quick visit to each others blogs. I know we are all very busy, but let's try to visit at least 5 other sisters and bring them encouragement! HAPPY TT everybody!
28 comments:
Hi Laurie, Hard to believe its all ready November! Thanks for hosting this month!
Laurie,
What a great way to start out our month of thankfulness... It is good to think about gratified vs grateful.
Oh, I have so much to be thankful for this season and it's all because of Jesus. Happy TT. Hugging you and looking forward to the month of thanks with you. Hugs, Lynn
Great post! I never thought about that, but you are so right! Thanks so much. Hope you have a happy thankful Thursday!
HI
I have NEVER been first=)
Just wanted to visit and say HAPPY TT
I am very grateful for God's provision today...thanks for the encouragement
Great post and something to really ponder and consider. Thank you!
hi, am here for TT meme. nice TT entry you have. in my country we do not have a thanksgiving holiday, i would like to experience that hopefully. cheers!
Oh so true and thank you for hosting this month!
I like how you differentiate the word gratified and grateful.
May you a blessed week!
Great post, Laurie. Many people give thanks only when they are gratified, but often cry "woe is me" when difficulties arise. (I've been there.) However, as you say the Bible tells us to give thanks in all circumstance. As Christians, we can do this knowing will full assurance that God is working all things together for our good.
Blessings,
Joan
There surely is a difference. Thanks for reminding me of that today!
A good point. I can say I am both grateful and gratified by my experiences as a homeschooling mom of young children 0 in varying balance daily!
What a truly wonderful post to start out this thankful month with, Laurie! There certainly is a difference, and God has really strengthened that belief for us these past few weeks! I pray we can all focus on God, and be truly grateful and thankful for Him and all he does in each of our lives!
I'm from Canada, so we celebrated our Thanksgiving last month already -- but I'm really trying to adopt the mentality to be thankful EVERY DAY of the year, not just Thanksgiving.
This is my first visit here and I'm hooked. It's so refreshing to read words of thankfulness and to remind yourself of the goodness. Thanks!
As we age in years with the Lord it becomes much easier to see how the steps of our walk has brought us nearer to Him, through good and bad. In all things, I give thanks for complaints, as you say, are just about me. God help us always remember what Laurie has said... All things DO work to the good of those who love You...! Thanks for letting me hear your heart. God Bless
good thoughts to ponder on. i've thought about that.
how time flies... it's almost Christmas.ker
Thanks, Laurie, for this wonderful reminder! We just talked about the "month of giving thanks" this morning in our family devotions! I loved how you compared being grateful to being gratified, and I will certainly be pondering it.
Blessings,
Wendy
Faith's Firm Foundation
Laurie, thanks for pointing out the difference. I am grateful. I find that gratification is so fleeting but God is forever fulfilling.
Blessings and love to you,
Debbie
This is my first time linking with ye. I am indeed grateful for such a reminder. God bless :)
I am definitely grateful today. I don't have a choice - I have a father fighting HARD at the young age of 50 against an aggressive cancer. I have two sisters divorced, and struggling. I have a friend going through a divorce, and struggling. And more.
I am certainly not gratified lately. And that is okay by me! I have learned what gratitude really means, and in the midst of everything, I am grateful to my God, King, and Friend for everything in my life.
He loves me. He's in control. So, I can always be grateful that, because of those two things, EVERYTHING will turn out alright in the long run as I keep my eyes on Him!
I am grateful. And I'm glad you called attention to the difference. Even gladder to examine my heart, and find out that I actually got something right for a change!
What a blessing!
This was a really good post, Laurie. I am grateful. I am grateful for your post and for you too. Thanks for doing it.
I'm full of praise today. Thanks for hosting this important "ministry." Have a wonderful weekend!
This was a great reminder on where our focus should be. This is my first time to link up with ye. God bless :)
This is perfect timing. I am forver grateful that God has been faithful to us!! Blessings to you on Thankful Thursday!!
Thank you for reminding me to be tahnkful every week. Have a lovely weekend.
Hello, thanks for the linky love. My first time to join this Meme. So inspired to be grateful to read your post.
My Thankful Thursday post here
I really like your contrast of those two words. It is truly all a matter of attitude!
Oh my...my post was written before I read this...it sure fits in. Thanks for helping us all to be mindful of our lives...so much to be thankful for, even in the dark times because He is our Light.
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