Gratitude is like a shield that guards our hearts against the sneaky poison of entitlement that can so easily creep in if we're not careful. The moment we start focusing on what we think we deserve, we lose sight of the overwhelming grace and blessings that God has already lavished on us. Entitlement whispers that we're owed something just for showing up—that life should hand us our wants on a silver platter. But when we dive into Scripture, we find a completely different story: everything we have is a gift from God. The only thing we're truly entitled to is His grace.
Take a look at Luke 17:10, where Jesus tells us, "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" This verse should be a reality check for us! Even on our best day, we can't earn God's favor by what we do. Everything we have—our salvation, our daily bread, every breath we take—is a gift we didn't earn and don't deserve.
Gratitude is the antidote to entitlement. When we intentionally cultivate a thankful heart, it’s like spraying weed killer on those seeds of entitlement before they can take root. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we think we're missing to what we've already been given. It changes our perspective from "I deserve this" to "Wow, God, thank You for this!" A heart full of gratitude is a humble heart, fully aware that all we have is because of God's amazing grace, not because we’ve somehow earned it.
And here's the thing—gratitude is contagious. Just like entitlement can spread and drag others down, a thankful heart can lift others up and inspire them. When we choose to express our gratitude—whether through prayer, a kind word, or a simple act of thanks—we create an atmosphere where others are encouraged to do the same.
So, what does this look like in our everyday lives? It’s about regularly taking time to thank God for the blessings He’s given us, both big and small. It’s about showing appreciation to the people around us, recognizing their efforts and goodness in them. It’s about choosing to focus on the positives, even when life gets tough, because we trust that God is working everything out for our good.
Gratitude keeps us grounded in the reality of God’s goodness, protecting us from the dangerous mindset of entitlement. As we make thankfulness a habit, we align our hearts with God's will and keep ourselves open to the endless blessings He wants to pour into our lives. So today, let’s choose gratitude and let it transform the way we think, speak, and act.
Originally published by Whitefish Living. Used with permission
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Sven Huls
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