This post originally appeared on Anna’s 1st blog, Annamotion.
Ah Thanksgiving. That time of year Americans say is for giving thanks, while instead they are focusing on what they are taking (intaking excess amounts of food; taking way more than they need on Black Friday; taking their blessings for granted). Does anyone else see how hypocritical it is to say “let’s be thankful for what we have” and within the same 24 hour period fight others over what we don’t have?
I know this is not everyone. I hope and pray that it’s not even the majority…However…as we approach Thanksgiving, I think we are all given a great opportunity to take inventory. Yes, of course to take inventory of all you’ve been blessed with…But here I mean take inventory of your heart.
I believe there are 3 different types of “gratitude” that can lie within a person’s heart, but only 1 of the types is a true, genuine gratitude. Let’s take a closer look…
1. Greedy Gratitude
Do you give thanks occasionally or around Thanksgiving time but spend the rest of the year fixating on the newest iPhone, the most expensive shoes, the biggest T.V., or other things you don’t have? Do you use Black Friday and other sales as an excuse to buy more than you need and more than you can afford? Do you covet more than what you are content about? It’s ok to have likes and interests and desire to have things; however, the problem lies in the consumption. When the consumer becoming the consumed. When what you don’t have takes over your time, thoughts, and money, keeps you from giving, or becomes a “need” in your mind. This is greed.
2. Guilty Gratitude
Do you feel guilty around Thanksgiving — guilty for not being poor? Guilty for all that you own and all that you’ve been blessed with. Guilty for your good health this year while someone else you know was terribly sick. Do your statements of gratitude victimize yourself?
If you’re feeling guilty about all the good things in your life–then do something about it. Give to the poor. Visit, help, and pray for the sick. Think of the needs of your family, friends, and even strangers before your own. But if you’re already doing these things–if you’re already being wise and generous with your money, time, and talents–then don’t feel guilty about it. Just be thankful. Be content and enjoy the good while you have it because you’re not promised to have it tomorrow. Don’t be boastful with the good in your life, but also don’t be ashamed if you’re already doing what you can to help others. Be genuinely thankful.
3. Genuine Gratitude
Genuine gratitude is an authentic contentment with what you have. You view everything as a blessing you don’t deserve, but you turn that into gratitude rather than guilt. A person with genuine gratitude cares more about giving than receiving. They accept gifts well — with humility, cheerfulness, and a thankful heart rather than downplayed or over-dramatically expressing unworthiness. They also can carefully plan to buy “frivolous” things for themselves at appropriate times, but they never let it control them or get in the way of their giving. They are thankful all year round rather than just once a year.
A person of genuine gratitude sounds pretty perfect, doesn’t it? I believe it is something we will constantly be striving for as we mature and grow into content, thankful people. A thankful heart is a happy heart. Don’t you want that? I do.
Let’s start striving for that this Thanksgiving. Take your thoughts captive and assess: “Is this thought one of greed, guilt, or genuine gratitude? Does it show that I am content or that I am being consumed?”
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