3 Reasons Gratitude for Small Things Can Change Your Life. Read On!

Gratitude is important, yet so easy to forget, especially when it comes to God's blessings. We tend to be thankful for big things, but forget the small things. In fact, God's blessings are always there, both in big things and in small things. Yet we often value them too little. We often forget the small things that are actually so precious. 

The question is, why do we need to be grateful for small things? Simply because everything big starts from something small. Great achievements certainly come from the small achievements we have worked for.

I myself am sometimes like that too. Too focused on big things, yet forgetting the small things. Until a moment of reflection on the porch of my house made me realize it.

It Turns Out There Is So Much to Be Thankful For…

In February 2022, I tested positive for Covid-19. So I had to go through self-isolation. It certainly was not pleasant, because I could not go about my usual activities and had to regularly take medicine. But through this experience, I realized that there were many things I had been passing by just like that, without any sense of gratitude. 

Having to self-isolate at home made me realize how wonderful it is to be on the porch of the house. Before that, it had felt ordinary. The porch of my house looks simple. There is no beautiful garden. There are only flower pots arranged very neatly by my mother-in-law. 

There were no highly aesthetic items on that porch either. There was only a long wooden bench painted plain white, a place where I could sit while looking at the view in front of the house.

However, after spending five straight days in the bedroom, being on the porch made me very happy. I felt such peace breathing in the fresh air, even while wearing two masks. Stepping out of the room for a moment, then enjoying the fresh air, felt very calming.

My heart and mind were stirred. Why did it take circumstances like that for me to be thankful for all these things? My thoughts continued, realizing that there are many small things in my life that I no longer give thanks for. 

Starting with having a home of my own. Even though it is small, I can rest and spend time with my family inside it. A child who is very adorable, though sometimes stirring up emotion. Then, one more thing that I often forget to be thankful for. A wife who loves me dearly and supports me. She even gave me 100% attention during my self-isolation at home.

Why Do We Need to Be Grateful, Even for Small Things?

The busyness of daily life, and treating everything as too ordinary, can make us forget to be thankful. Yet gratitude, whether for small things or big ones, can change our way of thinking and even our lives. Let us see what the Bible says about gratitude. 

The first reason we need to be thankful is that gratitude makes us content with what we have. 

1. Human Life Is Simple

Many people are not satisfied with their lives. For example, they are not thankful for the work they have, wife, husband, children, parents, place to live, physical appearance, achievements, and so on.

This does not mean that we should not do more for a better life. However, it also does not mean that we cannot be thankful for what we already have. One reason we need to be grateful is that basically human life is very simple. 

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. If we have food and clothing, that is enough. – 1 Timothy 6:7-8

As the verse above says, human life is very simple. We were born into this world without a single thread on us. We will leave this world without taking anything with us either. Not a penny of money will ever be brought with us when we stand before Him.

Sadly, sinful desire makes many people forget this reality. They are tempted to gather up as much wealth as possible. In fact, we too can be tempted by this.

The desire to possess great wealth can cover our view of the simple things we already have. As a result, when we do not have big things, we become sad and fragile, and of course, no longer grateful.

Having food ingredients to sustain our family is a great blessing. We ought to be thankful when God provides food in our home. Having rice, drinking water, vegetables, and side dishes every day are things we need to be thankful for. 

There are still many other small things that sometimes escape our gratitude. A body that is healthy and whole. A brain that works well, so that we can think, remember, and work. Friends, relatives, close friends who are there in joy and sorrow are precious things we need to be thankful for.

2. Treasures in Heaven Are Far More Valuable Than Treasures on Earth

Living in this world can make us feel that this world is our home. The place where we gather treasure. But in truth, as followers of Jesus, our home is not in this world. Therefore, our focus should no longer be on worldly things, but on heavenly ones. 

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. – Colossians 3:1

Why are we not thankful? It may be because our focus is on gathering as much treasure on earth as possible. And when what we want has not happened, we become ungrateful. 

But the word of God says in “Matthew 6:20-21, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What is God's will in our lives? He deeply wants us to store up treasure in heaven, the treasure of eternal salvation.

Those two verses basically remind us to pursue heavenly treasure. We have been saved from our sins, saved from the world's way of living and thinking. Therefore, it is only fitting that we seek treasure in heaven, namely by fulfilling the will of God.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with working hard to meet the needs of our lives. There is nothing wrong if we strive so that our needs and dreams are fulfilled. However, if we are not careful, ambition for this world can distract us from pursuing the will of God. 

Therefore, by returning our focus to storing up treasure in heaven (not on earth, which only lasts for a time), it can become easier for us to be grateful. 

3. Every Big Thing Starts with Small Things

“...Well done, my good and faithful servant; you have been faithful in small things, I will give you responsibility over great things....” – Matthew 25:21

I believe that God sees our hearts in the way we handle small things. When we can be faithful and responsible with the small things He places before us, He will give us great things. On the other hand, when we are not faithful and not responsible in small matters, God may hesitate to entrust us with great matters.

The same is true with gratitude. Gratitude is also a simple thing. Being thankful for small things is also a small thing. Yet if we cannot be thankful for small things, most likely we will not be able to be thankful for the great things God gives. How will God give great things when we are not yet able to be thankful for small things?

Being Thankful for God's Gifts

I invite us to open our eyes wide. Let us see how many small things God has already given in our lives. 

Let us look at our family, our spouse, our child, our parents, our work, or even ourselves. Let us see that all these things are gifts from God that deserve our gratitude.

I believe that when we are able to be thankful for small things, God will entrust us with great things. Amen.  -  Related Articles:

• Finding It Hard to Be Grateful? Train Your Mindset This Way!
• Why, What, and How Should We Be Grateful?
• A Family's Emotional Savings
• A Wife's Gratitude Saves Her Husband
• Giving Thanks in the Midst of Rain

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