by Gratitude is not just a feeling we hold inside—it should impact every aspect of our lives, from the words we speak to the actions we take. Today, we’ll look at how we can live a life of gratitude that reflects the character of Christ in all we do. In turn, gratitude shapes our words and actions.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
In Colossians 3:17, Paul encourages us to do everything in Jesus’ name while giving thanks to God. This verse reminds us that gratitude isn’t just for our quiet moments of prayer; it’s meant to be expressed in our daily lives. Every word we speak and every action we take can be an act of worship when we do them with a heart of thanksgiving.
Think about how different our days would look if we approached everything—work, relationships, or even mundane tasks like chores—with a spirit of gratitude. Instead of seeing our responsibilities as burdens, we could see them as opportunities to honor God. Gratitude has the power to transform how we see the world and how we engage with it. It shifts our focus from what we lack or what frustrates us to the countless blessings God has given us.
This kind of gratitude doesn’t come naturally; it requires intentionality.
It’s easy to express thanks when everything is going well, but it takes effort to maintain a thankful heart when things are difficult. Yet, Paul reminds us that this is exactly what we’re called to do. Living with gratitude in both word and deed means being mindful of how we represent Jesus. Our words can build up or tear down, and our actions can reflect God’s love or fall short of His calling.
Consider the power of your words. A simple “thank you,” or an encouraging word can change someone’s day. When we express gratitude to others, we also express our gratitude to God, acknowledging that He is the source of all good things. By being thankful in our interactions with others, we’re showing that we recognize God’s hand in every blessing.
Our actions also reflect our gratitude. Whether helping a friend, serving at church, or doing our job, we can choose to do these things with a heart full of thanks. This doesn’t mean we won’t face frustration or fatigue, but it does mean we can decide to see our actions as opportunities to glorify God. Serving others is a practical way to express gratitude for how God has served us through Jesus. When we serve with a thankful heart, our actions testify to God’s love for those around us.
Living a life of gratitude requires daily surrender.
It means laying down our frustrations, complaints, and desire for recognition and instead choosing to give thanks. When we do this, our lives become an offering to God. Our words and actions point others to Him and bring glory to His name.
One practical way to cultivate gratitude in your words and actions is to start each day by asking God to show you opportunities to express thankfulness. Make it a goal today to say “thank you” to someone who may not expect it—whether it’s a coworker, a family member, or even a stranger. Look for moments to serve others without expecting anything, and do it with a joyful heart. These small acts of gratitude will bless others and deepen your sense of thankfulness.
Today, let’s commit to doing everything—our words, actions, even our smallest tasks—in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father. Let’s be mindful of how we can reflect Christ’s love and gratitude in all we do. May our lives be marked by thanksgiving in every word and every deed.
Set a reminder to give thanks before you start any task today consciously. It could be as simple as saying a quick prayer of thanks before sending an email or making a phone call. Watch how this practice changes the way you see your responsibilities.
“The Gratitude Diaries: How a Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life” by Janice Kaplan – This book is a beautiful exploration of the power of gratitude to bring joy and change your perspective in everyday life.
“Gratitude” by Brandon Lake – A worship song that beautifully captures the essence of thanking God for His constant goodness.
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So good!! Gratitude can transform our hard into a beautiful act of worship and trust.
God is glorified best in that kind of rested posture of grace.🙌
Amen Debbie! I am thankful that God uses our heart of gratitude to change our perspective on the difficulties of life.
We’ve been talking about Gratitude a lot at Lighthouse Church. In October, we did a series on Thanks and Giving. Gratitude breeds generosity!
Amen! So true!