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Giving thanks infuses joy and resilience into our daily lives. Theologian John Henry Jowett said, “Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.” Without gratitude our faith becomes just another practice that we engage in doing. Gratitude can help you feel more positive emotions. It will help you relish good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

It is said that leaders who say thank you to their followers who work for them may find that those employees feel motivated to work harder. The old adage that a kick in the pants is good when someone needs to be motivated isn’t the best solution. However, employees will work harder to accomplish the goals of the organization with a simple thank you from their manager.

Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier or thinking they cannot feel satisfied until every physical material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.

Actor Will Arnett said, “I am happy because I am grateful. I choose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy.” So, if you want to be happy today then why not choose to be grateful for things that you have in life. The things that God has provided for you to have and to achieve in your life.

Gratitude is a hard fought, grace infused, biblical lifestyle. Its transforming power is reserved for those who know and acknowledge the God who is the giver of every good gift and who are recipients of his mercy and grace. We have survived the horrific COVID pandemic that has killed more than 6 million people worldwide. Many are now able to discard their masks and we can see the faces of others. What a blessing!

Today, show your gratitude and express it by letting someone know you appreciate them. When I wear a military hat, it is amazing the number of people who say to me “thank you for your service.” So, embrace the power of gratitude by saying “thank you” to someone today, and Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!

By Dr. Walter Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net