"The Discipline of Thanksgiving" - Rev. Josh Attaway - November 19, 2023
Nov 19, 2023
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The speaker talks about the importance of gratitude and giving thanks to the Lord, shares a personal story of finding gratitude during rock bottom, explores the transformative power of gratitude, discusses 'The Noticer' book, and emphasizes how gratitude helps overcome challenges and failures.
39:04
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Quick takeaways
Cultivating gratitude consistently can change our outlook and bring meaning even in difficult circumstances.
Recognizing and appreciating God's steadfast love and shifting our focus to it helps us maintain gratitude regardless of our situation.
Deep dives
Living in a Spirit of Gratitude
The podcast episode explores the importance of cultivating gratitude in everyday life. It begins by sharing the story of a man who wrote a thank you note every day for a year, which transformed his perspective on life. The podcast emphasizes the need to practice gratitude consistently, not just on Thanksgiving. It highlights the power of gratitude in changing our outlook and helping us find meaning and purpose, even in difficult circumstances. The episode encourages listeners to live with a discipline of thanksgiving and to remember that God's steadfast love is always present.
Gratitude Begins with God's Love
The podcast emphasizes that gratitude originates from recognizing and appreciating God's constant love and goodness. It references Psalm 118, which is a song of thanksgiving, and reminds listeners that we can always give thanks to the Lord because His steadfast love endures forever. It encourages people to shift their focus from the circumstances and challenges they face to God's unwavering love. By embracing this perspective, individuals can maintain gratitude regardless of their situation.
Gratitude Helps Maintain Perspective
The episode underscores the role of gratitude in shaping our perspective on life. It mentions how prayers of thanksgiving help align our hearts with God's and enable us to see others with love and compassion. The podcast shares the story of a man who discovered the value of gratitude during a difficult time in his life. It explains that gratitude helps us keep perspective, focusing on blessings rather than solely on our struggles. By regularly expressing gratitude, we begin to view our circumstances through a lens of appreciation and gain a deeper understanding of what truly matters.
Choosing Gratitude Changes Our Focus
The episode highlights the importance of choosing what we focus on and the role it plays in increasing gratitude. It shares a story from the book 'The Noticer,' where a man learns to shift his perspective and focus on gratitude amidst challenging circumstances. The podcast encourages listeners to choose to focus on the blessings in their lives and to be grateful for what they have, rather than dwelling on regrets or desires. It emphasizes that even in the midst of stress and busyness, choosing gratitude can transform our outlook and help us find joy and contentment.