Have you ever heard or considered what the biggest argument against an attitude of gratitude is? Odd question, I know, but there really are people who believe being thankful should not be promoted.
Of course, anybody who lives according to God’s Word will never disagree that we can and must be grateful under all circumstances. But some who do not believe this, feel that encouraging thankfulness makes people more complacent.
By this they mean that grateful people stop fighting evil and injustices in life. That they accept the way their lives are and become less motivated to implement change where necessary. They become self-satisfied and scale down their personal goals.
I can see how this viewpoint has some kernel of truth, but only when one misunderstands what gratitude is. It is not being lazy and passive whilst ignoring the pain and suffering in this world.
True thankfulness comes from focusing on blessings and then moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose.
The research of the developmental psychologist, William Damon, confirms this. He states: “The sense of gratitude for being able to partake in what the world has to offer, and to have a chance to make one’s own contribution is common in those with a sense of purpose.”
Joseph, son of Jacob is a spectacular example of this. By the time he was a grown man and part of Egyptian royalty, he could easily have been an angry, bitter and vengeful man. He had all the reasons in the world after years of rejection, suffering and injustice.
He could so easily have become complacent, self-satisfied with an attitude of “after all my pain, I do not care about the pain of others”. Yet, he never became hard of heart. He always kept his faith in God, and always strived to do more, to do better.
While he was Potiphar’s slave, he did not do as little as possible, but instead became such an excellent employee that he was entrusted with the whole household. When Mrs. Potiphar tried to seduce him, he wasn’t easy-going or accepting of the situation.
No, he remained steadfast in his goals to be an obedient servant of God and resisted her, no matter the outcome. And he stuck to the ways of God even in prison. He kept his eye on the blessings he received in God’s grace and bettered his own life and that of another prisoner through his gift of dream interpretation.
In his high position as the viceroy of Egypt he worked tirelessly to save the Egyptians and their neighbours from hunger. And then, when he has the perfect chance to avenge himself on his brothers, he forgives them and saves them too.
How did he manage this? With an attitude of gratitude. Bitterness, anger, despondency and complacency do not ever mix with true, Godly thankfulness. Joseph continuously focused on the good in his life and always hoped on a better future.
For proof of this, we need only look at the names of his sons, which are mentioned in Genesis (41:51-52). “God has made me forget all my trouble and hardship” (Manasseh) and “God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my suffering” (Ephraim).
Such thankfulness is not fake or superficial. It is difficult, it is hard. Complaining and self-pity are so much easier. But heartfelt gratitude and remaining hopeful on the blessings of God will sustain you when life becomes rough, and will be part of your legacy once you leave this world.
