The Work of Gratitude

“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”

-Thomas Merton

Happy Thanksgiving from 1st Principle Group!

Gratitude awakens us “...to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God.” As we reflect on this season of being grateful, let it be a challenge to our hearts to consciously seek where we see the fingerprints of God in our stories. We often encourage clients to use gratitude as an antidote to anxiety. When we are anxious, we focus on the things we cannot control, in an effort to relieve the fear we feel so acutely.

Gratitude shifts our focus off of ourselves, and onto the things around us that are not causing us fear. It’s not just a simple trick, it is a reorienting of our hearts that we need daily (even if you do not struggle with anxiety). May the work of gratitude become our experience of God this season.