Embracing the Gratitude Challenge for Personal Transformation

 

Summary

In today's message, we embark on a transformative journey called the Gratitude Challenge. This is not merely an academic exercise or a lecture; it is an invitation to become more grateful individuals. The challenge is to assess our current state of gratitude and to cultivate a mindset that consistently recognizes and appreciates the blessings in our lives. This journey is not about comparing ourselves to others but about personal growth and transformation.

Reflecting on the wisdom of Dallas Willard, who, even in his final days, expressed regret over wasted time, we are reminded of the importance of living a life full of gratitude. Psalm 103 encourages us to bless the Lord and remember all His benefits, highlighting the significance of memory in cultivating gratitude. Similarly, Paul's exhortation to the Ephesians to always give thanks for everything underscores the need for a grateful spirit.

John Templeton's insights on the mind as a garden offer a practical approach to cultivating gratitude. By exercising control over our thoughts, we can transform our minds into places of beauty and love. This involves replacing negative thoughts with those of love and worship, thereby shaping our circumstances rather than being shaped by them.

Today, I invite you to conduct a gratitude assessment. Reflect on questions such as how much you have to be thankful for, your ability to see gratitude in the world, and how often you feel appreciative. This self-assessment is a step towards understanding how gratitude is currently present in your life and how you might cultivate it further.

As we continue this journey, consider engaging in gratitude journaling, a practice that has been shown to enhance one's capacity for gratitude. This exercise will help us collectively grow in gratitude, making a tangible difference in our lives and the lives of those around us. Let us strive to bless God with all that we are, remembering His constant gifts and allowing gratitude to overflow into generosity towards others.

Key Takeaways:

- Gratitude is not just a feeling but a transformative practice that requires intentional cultivation. By regularly assessing our gratitude levels, we can identify areas for growth and actively work towards becoming more grateful individuals. [00:50]

- The wisdom of Dallas Willard reminds us that even the most accomplished lives can feel wasted without gratitude. By focusing on the blessings and benefits God provides, we can live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. [01:22]

- John Templeton's metaphor of the mind as a garden illustrates the power of thought control. By replacing negative thoughts with those of love and worship, we can create a mind filled with beauty and gratitude. [03:28]

- Gratitude is deeply connected to memory and perspective. By remembering God's benefits and viewing life through a lens of gratitude, we can transform our daily experiences and interactions. [02:15]

- Engaging in practices like gratitude journaling can significantly enhance our capacity for gratitude. This practice not only benefits us individually but also strengthens our community as we grow together in gratitude. [06:46]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - The Gratitude Challenge
- [01:02] - Are We Changing?
- [01:22] - Dallas Willard's Reflection
- [01:58] - Remembering God's Benefits
- [02:47] - Living with a Grateful Spirit
- [03:13] - John Templeton's Insights
- [03:56] - Controlling Your Mind
- [05:21] - Reflecting on Gratitude
- [06:16] - Gratitude Assessment
- [06:46] - Gratitude Journaling
- [07:13] - Assessing Your Gratitude
- [08:37] - Cultivating Gratitude
- [09:26] - Growing Together in Gratitude
- [09:40] - Invitation to Join

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Gratitude Challenge

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 103:1-2 - "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
2. Ephesians 5:19-20 - "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Psalm 103, what are we encouraged to do with our soul and memory? How does this relate to the concept of gratitude? [01:58]
2. In Ephesians 5:19-20, what activities are believers encouraged to engage in, and how do these activities foster a spirit of gratitude? [02:28]
3. How does the sermon describe the metaphor of the mind as a garden, and what role does thought control play in cultivating gratitude? [03:28]
4. What was Dallas Willard's reflection on his life, and how does it serve as a reminder about the importance of gratitude? [01:22]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the act of remembering God's benefits, as mentioned in Psalm 103, contribute to a life of gratitude? What might be some practical ways to remember these benefits daily? [02:15]
2. In what ways does the practice of gratitude journaling, as suggested in the sermon, help individuals grow in gratitude? How might this practice impact one's perspective on life? [06:46]
3. How does the metaphor of the mind as a garden, as explained by John Templeton, illustrate the process of cultivating gratitude? What are the implications of this metaphor for personal growth? [03:28]
4. Reflecting on Dallas Willard's statement about wasted time, how can gratitude transform one's perception of time and accomplishments? [01:22]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current state of gratitude. How often do you take time to remember and appreciate the benefits God has given you? What steps can you take to make this a regular practice? [02:15]
2. Consider starting a gratitude journal. What are some specific things you can write about each day to cultivate a grateful mindset? How might this practice change your daily interactions and outlook? [06:46]
3. Think about the metaphor of the mind as a garden. What negative thoughts do you need to replace with thoughts of love and worship? How can you begin this transformation today? [03:28]
4. How can you apply the wisdom of Dallas Willard's reflection on life to your own journey? What changes can you make to ensure you are living a life full of gratitude and not wasting time? [01:22]
5. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to feel grateful. What practical steps can you take to shift your perspective and find gratitude in that area? [07:13]
6. How can you use your gratitude to bless others and foster a spirit of generosity in your community? What specific actions can you take this week to share your gratitude with others? [09:10]
7. Reflect on the role of memory in gratitude. How can you create reminders or rituals that help you remember God's benefits and maintain a grateful heart? [02:15]

Devotional

Day 1: Gratitude as a Transformative Practice
Gratitude is not merely a fleeting emotion but a transformative practice that requires intentional cultivation. By regularly assessing our gratitude levels, we can identify areas for growth and actively work towards becoming more grateful individuals. This involves a conscious effort to recognize and appreciate the blessings in our lives, leading to personal growth and transformation. The journey of gratitude is not about comparing ourselves to others but about deepening our own sense of thankfulness and contentment. [00:50]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you struggle to feel grateful. What practical steps can you take today to cultivate gratitude in that area?


Day 2: The Fulfillment of a Grateful Life
The wisdom of Dallas Willard reminds us that even the most accomplished lives can feel wasted without gratitude. By focusing on the blessings and benefits God provides, we can live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. Gratitude shifts our perspective from what we lack to what we have, allowing us to experience a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose. It encourages us to live in the present moment, appreciating the gifts and opportunities that each day brings. [01:22]

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent accomplishment or blessing in your life. How can you express gratitude for it today, and how might this change your perspective on future challenges?


Day 3: Cultivating a Mind of Beauty and Gratitude
John Templeton's metaphor of the mind as a garden illustrates the power of thought control. By replacing negative thoughts with those of love and worship, we can create a mind filled with beauty and gratitude. This practice involves being intentional about the thoughts we entertain and choosing to focus on the positive aspects of our lives. By doing so, we shape our circumstances rather than being shaped by them, leading to a more joyful and contented life. [03:28]

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: What negative thought patterns do you need to replace with thoughts of love and worship? How can you begin this transformation today?


Day 4: Memory and Perspective in Gratitude
Gratitude is deeply connected to memory and perspective. By remembering God's benefits and viewing life through a lens of gratitude, we can transform our daily experiences and interactions. This practice involves recalling past blessings and recognizing the ongoing presence of God's grace in our lives. By doing so, we cultivate a spirit of thankfulness that permeates every aspect of our being, influencing how we interact with others and perceive the world around us. [02:15]

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy." (Psalm 103:2-4, ESV)

Reflection: Take a moment to remember a specific instance where you experienced God's grace. How can this memory inspire you to live with a grateful heart today?


Day 5: Growing Together in Gratitude
Engaging in practices like gratitude journaling can significantly enhance our capacity for gratitude. This practice not only benefits us individually but also strengthens our community as we grow together in gratitude. By documenting our blessings and reflecting on them regularly, we develop a habit of thankfulness that influences our interactions with others. As we share our gratitude with those around us, we create a ripple effect that fosters a culture of appreciation and generosity within our community. [06:46]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Start a gratitude journal today. Write down three things you are thankful for and share one of them with a friend or family member. How does this practice impact your sense of community and connection?

Quotes


when Dallas Willard was dying of pancreatic cancer a few of us were sitting with him and he was looking off in the distance and he said something that's always haunted me said I've wasted so much of my life and of course all of us thought this is a brilliant philosopher he's learned more than most of us could ever possibly imagine he writes books he goes around teaching people and talking with them and making things with his hands I've never known anybody waste less time like if he's wasting time the rest of us might as well pack it in right now but I think but I think but I think what was going on inside of his mind was he was thinking what life could be [00:01:22]

you know Psalm 103 says bless the Lord O my soul and all that is in me bless His holy name bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all of his benefits or forget none of his benefits how many benefits has God given to us we're going to talk about that idea of benefits as we work together in gratitude what would it be like for me to remember all of them a lot of gratitude has to do with remembering [00:02:00]

or Paul when he sung to the church at Ephesus he says uh sing and make music in your heart to God always thanking him for everything for every good gift and I think when it comes to gratitude what we want to be thinking about is not how do I do compared with other people but what might life be like if I'm actually living with a grateful Spirit from one moment to the next if I cultivate The Habit the lens the perspective of gratitude like my old friend quig would say we have so much to be grateful for [00:02:47]

he wrote If you exercise no control your mind which she pictured like kind of a garden that's why I'm standing where I am today if you exercise no control your mind will become a weed patch and a source of Shame and misery if you exercise wise control then it will be filled with God's Miracles and become a place of indescribable Beauty you are free to choose which [00:03:30]

simply for example develop a habit of looking at each thought as you would have planned if it is worthy if it fits the plan you desire for your mind cultivate it if not replace it how do you get it out of your mind simply by putting in its place two or three thoughts of Love or worship for no mind can dwell on more than two or three thoughts at a time circumstances Outside The Garden of Your Mind do not shape you you shape them [00:03:56]

so what we're going to do today is to take a moment to reflect on how grateful am I and in doing this I will not compare myself to some other person I know to be grumpier or crankier than me man I won't compare myself to somebody who's way better than me when I started lifting weights many years ago I worked out with a guy named Doug Doug literally his true story was Mr Universe 40 and over three times in a row it was terribly intimidating doing this with him [00:05:21]

so I want to invite you to start by doing a gratitude assessment if you want to take this a little further I'm going to do it right now verbally you can go online at our website website website become new or you can sign up for our emails and now tomorrow day three of the Gratitude challenge we're going to begin to do gratitude journaling you don't have to do that you can just tune in and I'll talk you through stuff but if you'd like to take another five or ten minutes per day to really try to cultivate gratitude in your mind gratitude journaling has been found to be quite a powerful thing [00:06:16]

here's a few questions you can respond on a seven point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree one I have so much in life to be thankful for how would you rate yourself there another one when I look at the world I don't see much to be grateful for and we will talk about gratitude and suffering and pain as we walk through the challenge together another question long amounts of time can go by before I feel grateful to something or someone just honestly how true is that of me [00:07:13]

I often reflect on how much easier my life is because of the efforts of others and you might just take a moment to reflect as you go through these questions how truly grateful of a person am I how much is gratitude a part of my life and what I like to cultivate it in the garden of my mind I know you do I know you do I do I have found a strange thing in this season when life in the garden has been harder for me my gratitude threshold has gotten lower in my capacity for gratitude has actually grown but I'm not nearly satisfied [00:08:37]

I would like to have that so much more so that I could overflow and be more generous in the lives of others so if you want to do more work on this go to the website get our emails you can take that little gratitude survey we're actually going to try to find out how we do together as a community in The Fellowship of the withered hand and to see can we grow in gratitude together as we walk through this journey so that I can tell my friend Sam yep it actually makes a difference in people's lives and then he can be grateful too [00:09:26]

this is the Gratitude challenge it is not the Gratitude lecture it's not the Gratitude classroom we're not in this to learn about gratitude although there's a lot to learn about it we're becoming more grateful people that's the invitation that we have from God and so today I want to do an assessment exercise I want to give you a picture in your mind of what a grateful mind can look like how to cultivate gratitude and then I want to ask you to do a little gratitude assessment [00:00:33]

my friend Sam when I was talking to him a month or so ago about these talks said you know you do these talks and that's fine people may like them they may feel good for a moment but how do you know it's making any difference what if it's just hot air what if what if you're just blowing a bunch of gas now you may Wonder did Sam really talk to me like that no he did not I actually had to make it considerably more polite because there's kids that watch this but that question of are we actually changing that's the deal and particularly when it comes to gratitude [00:01:02]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?