So much of our society has become focused on self and our own wants and desires, which is a direct reflection of our sinful nature. Our default setting is to look out for number one. Just observe siblings or children on a playdate. They fight over toys all while screaming “Mine!” We have to learn to share, to be generous, and to put others first. 

Even when we have learned to be unselfish, we can often still lack gratitude. Look at a group of teenagers and you’ll likely see individuals who can share because they know it’s what they’re supposed to do, but a sense of deep-seated entitled still snuffs out lasting gratefulness. 

Certainly, the enemy likes it when we focus on ourselves instead of others. He likes it when our desires take precedence. He likes it when we are ungrateful. 

I’ve tried to take inventory of my life recently. Have I been guilty of ingratitude? Have I only gone to God in times of trouble when I needed something? Have I sought Him more for what He can do for me than just getting to know Him? 

I have repeatedly prayed for a heart to know God even if He never did another thing for me. But my flesh — the pull of the fallen world within me — can be so strong. It can be a fight to die to our flesh. But that is the Lord’s heart for us. He wants us, every part of us. He wants to help us die to our flesh so we can experience new life in Him. Jesus came to give us life to full! But we can’t receive what He wants to give us if we’re focused on ourselves and stuck in entitlement or ingratitude. 

A few days ago, at church, our Pastor called for anyone who needed prayer to come to the altar so that the Body could lay hands and pray for their needs. I went to the front because I’ve been drowning in some areas of my life — yet I’ve been believing in supernatural provision and breakthrough. 

It was beautiful, as always. One of my favorite things is to hear a group of Believers praying in one heart, one mind, and one accord. The room prayed. Each of us that came forward prayed. We could feel the faith and expectation in the room rising. 

Then everyone began to disperse. 

All of a sudden, Pastor did something that I don’t think he’s done before. He said he didn’t believe we were done praying yet. He explained, “I heard the Lord say that we only gave Him time to hear what you wanted, but you didn’t thank Me. You didn’t magnify Me as your source and your provision.” 

We were faithful in telling God our needs, but it ended there. Pastor asked us to linger in God’s Spirit and open ourselves up to the wisdom of His Spirit. He encouraged us to give Him our time, to not rush off, but to listen to Him. 

That moment immediately reminded me of the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. Jesus encounters ten lepers on His way to Jerusalem. They knew who He was and the miracles He could perform. They cried out to Him as the Son of God to have mercy on them. And mercy was what He showed them. As Jesus instructed, they ran off to show themselves to the priests. As they ran, they were healed. It was a miracle! They showed the priests and returned to their old lives. All, but one. One leper returned before he did anything else. Verses 15-16 say “Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.” 

That is who I want to be. I want to be one who thanks and praises God with all that is in me. I want to have a thankful heart so gratitude is always my first response. I want my life to be worship for who He is, first — and for what He’s done, second. 

It’s easy for me to thank God and move on to the next thing. It’s easy for me to just expect Him to meet my needs and forget to thank Him altogether. It’s easy for thankfulness to have no impact on my life at all. 

That’s where the fight is. That’s where we die to our flesh and let the Holy Spirit live through us. May we continue to learn the ways of gratitude so we can easily resist the ways of this world. 

Thankfulness is where God meets us. 

 

By Karina Allen as originally featured on (in)courage, a DaySpring community.  

Find books & devotionals to strengthen your faith and encouraging faith-filled articles at DaySpring.com to help guide you through this season with purpose.