Be humble and thankful

The dictionary defines humility as being humble.  Many people think that being humble is to cringe in front of others or the belief that others are better. Biblically, however, being humble is freedom from pride and arrogance.  Humility is being comfortable with who you are thus putting others first.

Gratitude on the other hand, as defined by the dictionary, is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.  John Piper said "gratitude is more than saying, 'Thank you,' when someone gives you something. Gratitude is more than an action which we decide to do by an act of will power. You can say the words, "thank you," when there is not gratitude in your heart at all.  Custom may dictate that you say the words when you don't really appreciate what has been done for you. What it takes to turn the words, "thank you," into gratitude is the real genuine feeling of gratitude. Gratitude is a feeling that arises uncoerced in the heart. It cannot be willed into existence directly if it is not there. If you give a ten year-old a necktie or a pair of socks for Christmas, he may dutifully say, "Thank you," but the spontaneous feeling of gratitude will probably not be there, like it would be if you gave him a new electronic game or hockey stick. Gratitude is a feeling not an act of will power.  And it is a good feeling. When it rises in our hearts, we like it. It is part of happiness, not misery. Gratitude is a form of delight."

To sum it up, humility and gratitude is something deeper in meaning as they come from the heart without pretense and in the purest form.

Scripture teaches us this and to mention some verses:

• Luke 14:11 - "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
• Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
• James 1:17 - "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the  Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.