Wednesday – Gratitude: The Antidote to Pride

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In a Nutshell: 

Yesterday we focused on sonship. Today, we learn that gratitude is the vital response of a son/daughter, and the powerful antidote to pride. Thanksgiving keeps us mindful of God’s favor and fosters humility.

Anchor Verse: 

Psalm 100:4 (NIV) – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

Unpacking the Word: 

Pastor Reuben emphasized that ingratitude was a key component of Lucifer’s pride. Lucifer, forgetting that everything was a gift from the Father, became unthankful.  In contrast, the sermon highlighted that “the key to the presence of God begins with thanksgiving.” Psalm 100:4 instructs us to “enter his gates with thanksgiving.” Gratitude is not just polite manners; it’s the very doorway to God’s presence and a cornerstone of humility.

When we are genuinely thankful, we acknowledge the source of our blessings. We recognize that we are recipients of grace, not self-made achievers. This recognition naturally cultivates humility.  Think about moments when you felt most grateful. Were you also feeling proud at the same time? Probably not. Gratitude and pride are fundamentally incompatible.  Pride says, “Look what I did.” Gratitude says, “Thank you, God, for what you have done.”

Ingratitude, on the other hand, fuels pride. When we fail to acknowledge God’s hand in our lives, we start to believe that our successes are solely due to our own efforts. This self-centeredness is the essence of pride.  Today, let’s intentionally cultivate a heart of gratitude.  Start your day with thanksgiving. Throughout the day, pause to notice and appreciate the blessings around you – big and small.  Thank God for your health, your relationships, your opportunities, even the simple things like a warm meal or a beautiful day.  As we practice gratitude, we actively dismantle pride and invite God’s presence and favor into our lives.

Pause and Reflect:

1. How would you rate your level of gratitude on a scale of 1-10?  What areas could you improve?
2. What are some things in your life you often take for granted?
3. How does practicing gratitude practically combat feelings of pride or entitlement?

Faith in Action:

1. Start a “gratitude journal.” Each day, write down at least three things you are thankful for.
2. Throughout the day, verbally express thanks to God in your mind for specific blessings as you notice them.
3. Reach out to someone today and express your gratitude to them for something they’ve done for you.

A Moment With God:

Father, I come before you with a heart of thanksgiving.  Thank you for your countless blessings, seen and unseen.  Forgive me for the times I’ve been ungrateful and taken your gifts for granted.  Help me to cultivate a heart of constant gratitude, recognizing you as the source of all good things in my life.  Fill me with your presence as I enter your gates with thanksgiving.

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