Is there a relationship between gratitude and fulfilling your purpose? I think there is. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. For me, there is so much to give God thanks for. I am grateful for my wife and sons. I am grateful for life and the ability to fulfill my purpose through the King’s Collective Network. I am grateful to the Board of Directors who have decided to support me by extending the gift of accountability as we move forward.
The Apostle Paul reminds the church at Thessalonica – and by extension us: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5: 18, NASB).
Author, Jack Canfield notes, “Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life.”[1]
An article from the Harvard Medical School states the following, “Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves” [2]
Here is what I have discovered about gratitude and how it can be used to help you fulfill your purpose:
Gratitude Requires Purposeful Reflection
To get clear on your life’s calling you need to engage in purposeful reflection. I encourage you to check out my blog entitled, 7 Things You Can Glean from your Story to Understand Your Purpose. When you look at your life’s journey to date, what circumstances, situations, people, decisions, your skills, and abilities, and your impact that has caused you to see God in your story and your purpose becoming clear through your life experiences?
Some of your experiences may have been painful. Others may have been joyful. But know this, regardless of the impact, somehow God can cause goodness to emerge out of your story (Romans 8: 28). God can repurpose your experiences to shape you for your calling and your purpose. Purposeful reflection will cause you to see what you did not see before, and it can be fuel for your future impact. Give thanks for your future impact!
Gratitude can inspire Purposeful Action
Often, the most significant tragedy and trauma that you have overcome can be the greatest point of impact and encouragement for others. It is said that “your misery can become your greatest ministry.” You have a solution that the world needs. The Apostle Paul throughout scripture would often reflect on his actions prior to coming to faith in Christ. But once he was converted and commissioned as an Apostle, his gratitude for being a bondservant for Christ fueled his passion to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and even visit those who initially perceived him to be an enemy of the Gospel.
Galatians 1: 21-24 states,
21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are in Christ; 23 but they only kept hearing, “The man who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they were glorifying God because of me [emphasis added] (NASB).
There are individuals waiting to experience your impact as you allow gratitude to fuel you concerning the problem you have overcome, or a burden that you must provide a solution to a problem. Paul did not allow the perception problem to stop him from fulfilling his purpose and calling. The call was the catalyst and the driving force, but gratitude was the fuel that kept him moving forward. There are individuals who will praise God because of you. Let gratitude for what is yet to come, fuel you too!
Gratitude can help cultivate Purposeful Connections
You will not discover your purpose in a vacuum. Your purpose is identified through relationships. Your gifts are for people, and you must cultivate relationships for impact. Also, you cannot impact the arena you are in all by yourself. You need fellow tribe members and like-minded individuals to come alongside and support you along with your point of impact. You must steward and cherish the meaningful connections that you have with people. Who are those individuals in your life that have helped you clarify your purpose or have mentored you along your pathway to purpose? Let gratitude inspire you to honor and celebrate these individuals.
Gratitude is powerful when authentic and heartfelt. It requires purposeful reflection, can inspire action, and it can fortify relationships. In what area will you allow gratitude to fuel your purpose?
[1]Jack Canfield Quote: Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life. (n.d.). QuoteFancy.Com. Retrieved November 21, 2021, from https://quotefancy.com/quote/1120496/Jack-Canfield-Gratitude-is-the-single-most-important-ingredient-to-living-a-successful
[2] Harvard Health. (2021, August 14). Giving thanks can make you happier. Retrieved November 21, 2021, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier