Today, I want to explore with you the transformative power of a gratitude attitude, a quality that the Bible encourages us to cultivate. The apostle Paul, in his letters, sets a fine example of expressing gratitude, thanking God unceasingly for the way the believers were receiving the message (Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). The lasting happiness that Paul speaks of doesn’t come merely from occasional expressions of gratitude, but from having a grateful character that is heart-based and not necessarily centered in the mind.

In a world where it’s often easier to focus on the negative, the Bible challenges us to choose gratitude. Our minds, designed to help us survive, often magnify the bad and look for potential threats. However, we have the power to shift our focus from our protective minds, to choose to recognize what is good, and to be thankful for the giving that surrounds us.

As someone who, in my natural state, has a scarcity attitude, I tend to focus on unfulfilled needs, comparing what others have that I don’t. This attitude fosters short-term thinking and can lead to less fulfilling relationships. On the contrary, if I leave behind my sense of scarcity, and take on a gratitude attitude that focuses on what I already have, I find the Holy Spirit makes peace with the present moment. This shields me from feelings of entitlement, envy, or resentment, preserving my relationships and bringing joy into my life and those around me.

How do we recognize a gratitude attitude? It manifests in the celebration of others’ success without jealousy or fear. Where there is an attitude of gratitude, fear and anger cannot exist. A grateful heart believes that others’ successes do not detract from our own. Giving back is another sign. A scarcity attitude often takes, but a grateful attitude gives generously of time, energy, and resources. Living in the present, appreciating the now without unnecessary worrying about the future or dwelling in the past, is a characteristic of those who focus on gratitude and giving.

It’s natural for many of us to operate in a scarcity attitude, especially in competitive environments. However, when we learn how to develop a gratitude attitude, we open ourselves up to opportunities we may have never thought possible.

Limiting beliefs, unconscious notions about ourselves and the world that hold us back, can hinder our ability to express gratitude fully. Recognizing and challenging these limiting beliefs is the first step to developing a gratitude attitude. It requires examining how these beliefs impact our lives and replacing them with healthier perspectives.

The process involves adopting empowering beliefs given to us by the Lord and responding with gratitude. Making a list of things we’re thankful for and practicing flipping limiting beliefs to empowering ones can help us in this journey. With diligence and practice, adopting a giving attitude and a gratitude attitude makes us more like who we were created by God to be.