Choosing Gratitude: 30 Day Challenge: Day 8

Day 8: Gratitude and Humility
Scripture Reading: James 4:6-10

Members of the Masai tribe in West Africa understand that gratitude and humility go hand in hand.  When they want to say "Thank you," they touch their forehead down to the ground and say, literally, "My head is in the dirt."

Another African tribe expresses gratitude in a similar way by saying, "I sit on the ground before you."  When someone wants to make his gratitude known, he goes and just sits quietly for a period of time in front of the hut of the person to whom he is grateful.

One of the fundamental qualities invariably found in a grateful person is humility.  Gratitude is the overflow of a humble heart, just as surely as an ungrateful, complaining spirit flows out of a proud heart.

Proud people are wrapped up in themselves.  They think much of themselves and little of others.  If people or circumstances don't please or suit them, they are prone to whine or become resentful.  Today's reading reminds us that "God opposes the proud"--the concept is that He stiff-arms them, He keeps them at a distance, He "sets Himself in battle array" against them.

But when we choose to "humble ourselves," as we are exhorted in James 4, God draws near to us and pours His grace into our lives.  His Spirit does a cleansing, purifying work in our hearts, gives us victory over the noisy, demanding tyrant of self, and enables us to be thankful people, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.

Humble people are wrapped up in Christ.  A humble person thinks much of God and others, an little, if at all, of himself.  He recognizes that anything he has is better than he deserves.  He does not feel anyone owes him anything.  He does not feel entitled to have more, or for life to be easy, or for everyone to love him and treat him well.  He is grateful for the least little kindness that is extended to him, knowing it is more than he deserves.

GRATITUDE IN ACTION

1. Make a list of anything you can recall "whining" about recently.  Include things like frustrating people, annoying circumstances, wanting something you couldn't get (e.g., an uninterrupted nap), or having something you wished you didn't have (e.g., a cold).  How does your complaining manifest a spirit of pride, entitlement, and expectations?
2. Sit quietly before the Lord for a time today and say, "I sit on the ground before You."  You may even want to literally bow your head down to the ground as you come into His presence, as an expression of your desire to humble yourself before Him.  Confess any pride that has shown itself in complaining, irritability, anger, or resentment, rather than giving of thanks.  Humbly tell Him that you don't deserve any of His favor, and give Him thanks for any specific recent blessings He brings to mind--including those situations you have complained about!  (If a circumstance involves something sinful or evil, ask how He might want to use it in your life to make you more like Jesus.)