“He who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious” (D&C 78:19).
For those of us in America, when we think of being thankful it’s typically November and we’re celebrating Thanksgiving (a holiday centered around giving thanks). Yet gratitude is a trait we need to work on every single day of our lives.
In the booklet For the Strength of Youth, put out by leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church), the youth (12-17 years old) are encouraged to take on a constant attitude of gratitude.
“ Even in your most difficult times, you can find much to be grateful for. Doing so will strengthen and bless you” (For the Strength of Youth, p.6).
For those who live their lives looking at the glass as half empty, finding things to be grateful for can seem like more of a burden than a way to happiness. This is no reason to not at least try. One of my favorite hymns encourages us to count our blessings, just one at a time.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done…When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.(Johnson Oatman, Jr., Hymnbook, p.241)
Start with one blessing. Just one. Then when you have that blessing held firmly in your mind, think of another. Write them down, so you’ll always have them as a reminder. When you find yourself struggling to come up with any blessings during a particularly trying time, go back to the ones you’ve recorded. I promise your heart will be lightened.
The particular scripture story to illustrate the importance of having a grateful heart can be found in Luke 17:12-19.
Ten lepers came to see the Lord, all of them wishing to be healed. He encouraged them to visit their priest. As they traveled along, the disease that had so cruelly corrupted their bodies was lifted, and they were cleansed.
Can you imagine what they must have been feeling at this time? I can imagine most of them went off in search of loved ones they’d been separated from for who knows how long. Wives, mothers, fathers and children must have rejoiced in the miraculous healing of these men.
Yet only one thought to return to the man that had made this possible. Christ questioned the one, wondering what had happened to the other nine. Was Christ looking for thanks, for the recognition that came from performing this miracle? Of course not. He was trying to impart just how important it is for us to give thanks. To show our Heavenly Father that we do indeed recognize His hand in all things. Isn’t this exactly what Jesus did? Was He not always giving credit, thanks, and glory to His Father?
Everything we have comes from our Heavenly Father. The food we eat, the water we drink, the homes we live in, our jobs, our talents, our strengths, and our welfare. All of these things and more are given to us, because He loves us so much. And for that, I am so incredibly grateful.
