The More Grateful I am, the Happier I’ll Be

In Philippians 1:3 I read, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” (NLT)

If I want to have healthy relationships, start with an attitude of gratitude. I will be far happier and enjoy my relationships more if I develop the habit of being grateful for the people in my life.

Philippians 1:3 says, “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” (NLT).

This simple truth is the foundation of good relationships. 

When I think of the people in my life, is my first feeling gratitude? Or am I more likely to ask, “What do they need to do for me? What are our problems? What do we have to get done?” My first thought may not be gratitude. But Paul’s first thought for his friends was one of gratitude, and it is the model I should follow if I want my relationships to last.

Here’s the problem: The longer I know someone, the more likely I am to take that person for granted. With the passage of time, it becomes easier to focus on that person’s faults and on the bad times instead of the happy times.

That’s why it takes effort on my part to choose to have an attitude of gratitude for the people in my life. The longer my relationships last, the harder it may be to remember. But I experience an eternal impact on my relationships when I develop the habit of giving thanks to God when I think of my spouse, children, parents, siblings, neighbors, coworkers, and small group members.

In summary, to have healthy relationships, I need to start with an attitude of gratitude, and develop the habit of being grateful for the people in my life. When I think of the people in my life, is my first feeling gratitude? Or am I more likely to ask, “What do they need to do for me? What are our problems? What do we have to get done?” Paul’s first thought for his friends was one of gratitude, and it is the model I should follow if I want my relationships to last. The longer I know someone, the more likely I am to take that person for granted. In time, It becomes easier to focus on that person’s faults and on the bad times instead of the happy times. It takes effort on my part to choose to have an attitude of gratitude for the people in my life. I experience an eternal impact on my relationships when I develop the habit of giving thanks to God when I think of my spouse, children, parents, siblings, neighbors, coworkers, and small group members.

The Philippians were remembered with joy and thanksgiving whenever Paul prayed. By helping Paul, they were helping Christ's cause. The Philippians were willing to be used by God for whatever he wanted them to do. When others think about me, what comes to their minds? Am I remembered with joy by them? Do my acts of kindness lift up others?

I need to learn to continually give thanks to God for those in my life. I need to be willing to be used by God for whatever he wants me to do. Bring joy, do acts of kindness to help lift up others around me. Start with an attitude of gratitude. Develop the habit of being grateful for those in my life. It will take effort on my part to choose to have an attitude of gratitude for this in my life, but today's verse reminds me that I can have an eternal impact if I do.