When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:14-16 NIV
Jesus heals 10 lepers on the road. The Jewish law requires that lepers confirm their healing by the priest. This would fulfill the requirement for them to be reintegrated into all aspects of society. The priest did not perform the healing, he only acknowledged the miracle of healing.
The one man who returned realized that the miracle came through Jesus. His gratitude is captured throughout history. This was not a parable, teaching or illustration that Jesus was giving. There were 10 lepers and one came back and expressed his thanks. It made enough of an impression on all present, that this story made it into the scriptures.
There are 3 simple characteristics surrounding gratitude.
- The heart finds a way to communicate thanks
- Think of your heart like a sieve, what’s inside will find its way out.
- A thankful heart will look, sound, and appear to others as a thankful person
- It’s always communicated either in speech, writing or actions of giving
- What does gratitude look and sound like through your life?
- Complaining and gratitude are mutually exclusive actions
- Whining and complaining people are generally unhappy, yet while we hope that complaining will make us feel better – it doesn’t
- Complaining lends itself to focus on all of the injustice that occurs toward our lives.
- I’m not paid enough
- I work harder than everyone else
- I deserve to live in a better house
- No one appreciates how much I have to offer
- The topics that come out of your own mouth reveals your bent toward gratefulness or complaining
- Choose gratefulness and change to a happier heart
- It’s a constant war. Our selfish flesh always leans toward what we deserve rather than appreciation for the goodness we have received
- Gratefulness wars against our old love of flesh and comfort
- Choosing gratefulness is opposite of everything the world promotes as their standard of getting what you deserve
- It is a constant war, but the Holy Spirit gives you the advantage to move toward holiness and gratefulness
Enjoy the benefits of gratitude by thanking others. Watch your prayer time become more intimate as you incorporate more thankfulness to God. Happy people are usually people of personal gratitude. It comes with the territory. May you live in the land of gratitude.
Blessings, love y’all