Thankful vs Grateful. Is there a difference?
Thankful vs Grateful – The Half Glass Analogy
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The glass is half full.
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The glass is half empty.
Gratitude Changed Me
A Lack of Gratitude Is a Symptom
Recently I was at a conference and I heard a man named Carlos Whittaker share his story.
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Cobwebs are a symptom.
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The Spider is the real problem.
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We need each other to speak truth and life into our lives for the times when we get so focused, others can help us to see what is right in front of us.
A Different Perspective of Building
How to Cultivate Gratitude
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Look for ways others are blessing you and tell them you are thankful for them.
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Do a Gratitude Texting Challenge with a partner for 14 days. Pick a friend, a time, and text that friend 3 things you are grateful for—for 14 days.
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Practice gratitude by using a gratitude journal.
The Ultimate Gratitude Challenge
Sharing Stories of Gratitude
“but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Do you have a story of gratitude that you can share?
You’ve challenged me to find my spider! It’s so easy to take the gifts I’m given–parenting, meaningful work, etc–and turn them upside-down into burdens. I’ll be taking your good advice to intentionally pursue gratitude.
Yes! It’s funny how that lil’ spider creeps into our lives, but wreaks such havoc! Love your heart, Joanna, and I know that He will be faithful in blessing you as you seek Him. Be blessed sweet friend! Thanks for stopping by!
I really like the analogy with the spider! I’ve been thinking about this difference recently too- I shared last year in our thanksgiving service how my circumstances hadn’t all changed, but my heart had changed and that helped me to view what was going on differently. Love your explanations here, gleaned from those garage days! 😉
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I know that spider analogy just hits you, doesn’t it?! I love that too. Thank you so much for sharing part of your story as well—how your heart changed. I know that it helps me to realize and I’m sure it’ll help others to know that we are not alone, but we can persevere. If you can do it, I can do it. If she can do it, then I can do it.
Love this, Sonya! Being grateful for the glass…. that’s SO good. We are too quick to measure how thankful we are are and what we have to be thankful for (or not!) when we need to take a step back and look at the “glass”. We are here today, living and breathing. A total gift. Something to be utterly grateful for. Half-full or half-empty, we find our wholeness in Christ. Yay! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Laura! I was so grateful for the Lord revealing to me such a different perspective with that analogy. It helped me so much to see and appreciate His goodness in new ways.
I came back to this article in lieu of Thanksgiving’s approach and I wanted to share how God has fulfilled a dream. We’ve been living with my in-laws for 5 years now in a rented, but shared space. It’s been challenging for sure and we still feel in many ways that we are waiting for a home, but when I think about your glass analogy, I remember all that God has done and I am so grateful! We have 3 beautiful children, a wonderful house, a good and growing relationship with my husband’s parents, we’ve been able to become debt free and save and now we are to the point where we are saving for our own house. During this season of COVID I also have to admit that it’s been really nice to have a built in community at home. Thank you for the reminder from last year to keep this perspective instead of focusing on all the things that make me feel stagnant. May God bless you.
Thank you Bess, for your comment. Literally when I read it I started bawling. You’ve been through so much and yet I love your heart in searching out the things that matter. May God continue to bless you and your family as you remember His faithfulness. Blessings and prayers for you today.