Session 1

Do you need a gratitude adjustment?

From Colossians: A 28-Day Devotional

Ever feel like you are taken for granted? If so, you’re not alone.

When we don’t receive the thanks we feel we deserve, we find ourselves getting angry. Ungratefulness creeps in quickly and is easy to justify.

"Really, a thank you note isn’t too much to ask."
"I did all that work, and it’s like he didn’t even notice."

Sound familiar? Paul, the writer of Colossians, knows what it’s like to feel like your good work goes unnoticed.

Paul traveled the Mediterranean preaching about Jesus and starting churches along the way. Some saw Paul’s faithfulness as a gift and overflowed with thankfulness. Others questioned Paul’s motives and second-guessed his teaching after he left (1 Corinthians 1:11-12, 2 Corinthians 10:1-2, 2 Corinthians 12:19-21).

In Colossians 1, the apostle Paul gives us insight into how we change our hearts toward the people around us. We pray.

The Message paraphrases Colossians 1:3 this way: "Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings. We can’t quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you!"

Paul prayed consistently for the people God put in his path, and as he prayed, his heart aligned with God’s heart for His people.

Ungratefulness sneaks into our lives in all sorts of ways. It happens when we compare our lives to someone else’s, when we refuse to overlook an offense, when we get too busy to see God at work all around us.

But as we pray, the Holy Spirit reminds us of all that we do have and thankfulness overflows. Jesus gently whispers, "Show the same grace I’ve shown you," and thankfulness overflows. As we pray, we’re forced to slow down and take stock of what we’ve seen, felt, and experienced. And thankfulness overflows.

Reflect:

• Write three things in your life you’re thankful for right now. Why is it important to remember these things?
• What is one way you can show gratitude toward those who encourage you and support you in your faith?