Melody Beattie said, “Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity. Additionally, gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace into today, and creates vision for tomorrow.” Paul encouraged us to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. He said in Colossians 3:15, “Show yourselves thankful.” This in it of itself requires effort, time, and stamina. Paul in I Thessalonians 5:16,18 gave us yet another sobering reminder to, “Always be rejoicing. Give thanks for everything.” Beloved of God, we must not forget that lasting happiness comes not from merely saying thank you occasionally but from having a grateful disposition. There is no situation or circumstance so small or large that it is not susceptible to gratitude’s power. When we foster this mindset from the onset in turn, protects us from feelings of entitlement, envy, and resentment, which alienates us from God’s promises and robs us of our joy. Paul hit another chord! He said in Philippians 4:8, “Whatever things are true, lovable, well-spoken-of, virtuous, and praiseworthy —continue thinking about these things.” The phrase, “continue thinking about….” points yet again to our need to have a thoughtful disposition, which is the prerequisite of a grateful spirit. If you say thank you, until you mean it, you will eventually believe it.