An Attitude of Gratitude

Introduction

This is a perspective from my series called SOAP for the Soul. SOAP is an acronym for a useful technique I use in my reading of the Bible:

S – Scripture
O – Observation
A – Application
P – Prayer

Scripture

Psalm 118

Observations

Whenever I’m feeling down, depressed, or a little “off”, I find it helpful to spend some time thinking about all the reasons I have to be thankful— for the many ways that God has blessed me. Some call this a “gratitude list”. Almost without fail, making my gratitude list reorients my perspective and resets my emotions, lifting my thoughts away from my current circumstances and toward God, my Father, who loves me and helps me.

The thesis statement in Psalm 118 is verse 24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (NIV). This is a great encouragement to focus on today, an encouragement that many recovering from hurts, habits, and hang-ups try hard to accept: Taking life one day at a time.

So, how do I get to gratitude today when my circumstances or preoccupations leave me feeling dejected, rejected, lost, frustrated, or angry? I see the writer of Psalm 118 listing out reasons for having gratitude. The Psalmist begins and ends with the urging to give thanks to the Lord and provides insight into his own circumstances and how God helped him and, therefore, deserves his gratitude. Psalm 118 is one example of a gratitude list!

First, he provides some insight into some of his circumstances that could cause any person to feel troubled:

5 – “In my anguish”
13 – “I was pushed back and about to fall”
17 – in danger of dying
18 – “The Lord has chastened me severely”

I can relate to feeling anguish and being “chastened” (rebuked or admonished) severely by God, sometimes from the consequences of my own decisions and actions. I’ve had periods of time in my life, for example, during a financial crisis with a family to care for, after the sudden, untimely passing of a parent, after decisions to betray the trust in my closest relationship, when I felt anguish and being punished by God, even wondering if there was any value or purpose to my life.

Can you relate? What have you experienced that has caused you anguish, “about to fall”, “in danger of dying”, or being distant or at odds with God?

As an aside, being able to connect with and relate to words this person wrote 2500-3000 years ago reminds me of the value and usefulness of the Bible in my life today. Hebrews 4:12 (New Living Translation) in the Bible tells us that it applies today: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires”. The Apostle Peter also reminds us that “When we told you about the power and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling clever stories someone had made up. But with our own eyes we saw his true greatness. …But you need to realize that no one alone can understand any of the prophecies in the Scriptures. The prophets did not think these things up on their own, but they were guided by the Spirit of God” (2 Peter 1:16-21, Contemporary English Version).

Application

I find it powerful that the writer shares the transformation from the feelings he was experiencing to an attitude of gratitude! When I imitate how he focuses on his blessings and the ways that God is good, I have also experienced this attitude transformation.

First, the writer reminds me that God is good and that His love endures forever. In fact, he begins and ends the Psalm, which is actually a song still sung by Jewish people after celebrating Passover each year, with the challenge to recognize God. In this reminder, he takes some time away from his immediate circumstances to reflect on God’s history of goodness, faithfulness, and love.

The writers of the Psalms often return to the history of God creating the world and then choosing, saving, and providing for his people as a primary reason to accept His love and believe that He will continue to be a loving Father (e.g., Psalms 8, 33, 65, 78, 99, 104, 105, 106).

The point is that God was, is, and always will be good and He will always love His people, which include all of us who believe in the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ and confess Him as Lord. That is why we can confidently say that God is good, and his love endures forever.

“Let Israel say: ‘His love endures forever.’
“Let the house of Aaron say: ‘His love endures forever.’
“Let those who fear the Lord say: ‘His love endures forever.’” (Psalm 118:2-4 NIV)

See how the writer reflects on his circumstances and acknowledges God’s help:

“In my anguish”…..”he answered by setting me free” (v. 5).
“I was pushed back and about to fall”…..”but the Lord helped me” (v. 13).
In danger of dying and chastened severely…. ”but he has not given me over to death” (v. 17-18).

I can see how the transformation begins to happen, as I look back at how God has worked in my life, in others’ lives, and in history as the rationale for looking forward and claiming blessing, success, and victory just as the Psalmist has done:

“The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid” (v. 6).
“The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies” (v. 7).
“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation” (v. 14).
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things” (v. 15)!
“I will…proclaim what the Lord has done” (v. 17).
“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone” (v. 22).
“The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us” (v. 27).

Having an attitude of gratitude and being able to rejoice and be glad today, even in challenging circumstances, is not just an exercise in positive thinking but, rather, a rational response to God’s history of goodness, faithfulness, and enduring love for his people, including me!