Spiritual discipline of gratitude - Divorce Minister

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

– Genesis 3:1, NIV

As a hospice chaplain, I see many different sorts of people on a daily basis. Often times, my favorite patients and families are the ones who have cultivated a spirit of gratitude. You know the type:

Oddly, this observation made me think about the Fall and adultery. How many of our lives have been ravaged by adultery after gratitude had long departed from the marriage?

While your adulterous spouse was cheating, do you remember being showered with gratitude or fault finding? I suspect it was the later.

As I look at the story of humankind’s Fall, I see the same phenomenon at work. Instead of looking at the entirety of the bountiful garden God had given Adam and Eve, Eve focused on the one thing withheld. Gratitude was no longer guarding her heart. She was wide open to temptation, and Adam did nothing to help protect her.

Gratitude is so important for healthy spirituality. It reminds us of God’s goodness and undercuts Satan’s ability to exploit doubt in God’s character. Also, it makes us much better company for others.

Plus, we are called to be a thankful people:

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

– Colossians 4:2, NLT

What do you thank God for?

Life? Health? Job? Kids? Dog? Cat? A beautiful day?

God has given us much to thank Him for even in the darkest of valleys. Let’s not loose the ability to give Him thanks!

*This post ran previously (when I was still a hospice chaplain years ago).

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