Gratitude Begins Where The Feeling of Entitlement Ends, + 24 Amazing Benefits

The title of today’s post was adapted from a quote I came across recently that says, “Gratitude begins where my sense of entitlement ends.” ~ Steven Furtick

Having read that, it quickly dawned on me that persons who go on living their life daily without being grateful, are prideful.

Not only are they prideful, but they feel they are entitled to the gift of life, hence the reason they do not say thank you.

There is also the sense of entitlement to a job, title, position in high office, wealth, success, and blessings [big or small] and some even have the expectation of these things without any effort whatsoever on their part.

Their belief system is such that they think of themselves as inherently deserving of privileges or some special treatment and that they have a right to an explanation on just about everything.

The reality is however, none of us are entitled to anything!

In addition, who did not grow up hearing our parents constant reminder, “Remember to say ‘thank you?'”

‘Thank you’ are two of the first words we learn from our parents when we were little. Not only was it and will always be proper etiquette, it’s a God given gift through His Spirit and the foundation of what connects our heart to Him as our Father.

Every good and perfect gift comes from God and the expression of gratitude is His instructive decision to us His children that in everything, we are to give thanks always. [1 Thessalonians 5:18]

“The most important prayer in the world is just two words long: “Thank you.” ~ Meister Eckart

We must realize that God is the source of all goodness and the more we give thanks to Him, the deeper our love and appreciation grows for Him and all that we have or have hopes of getting.

A heart filled with gratitude will drive out every feeling of discontentment, whining, complaining, self-pity, hatred and pride.

A life filled with gratitude distinguishes us from the wicked, who “although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God, nor gave thanks to him, but [in the process] their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21)

When the feeling of entitlement ends, gratitude begins. It will take practice especially if gratitude was not a part of your life style.

On that premise, Judi Mayne suggests to us, ‘as we consciously awaken to all that we have to be grateful for, God will slowly develop in us a continual attitude of gratitude.’

Benefits of Gratitude Practice as Opposed to Entitlement

1. Gratitude brings peace and tranquility into our lives.
2. Happiness increases when we are grateful
3. Gratitude generates social capital – makes us more likable and helps us to network
4. We are healthier both in the short and long run
5. Gratitude helps us to achieve our career goals
6. Gratitude bolster and strengthen our relationships with each other
7. Potentially life-changing development come about as a result of gratitude
8. Strong correlation between gratitude and optimism – makes us happier and healthier
9. Gratitude diminishes the focus for materialism and helps us to become more appreciative of the other good in life such as family
10. Strongly linked to spirituality  so that the feelings of gratitude increases
11. We are far less self-centered, egotistic and prideful
12. Known to increase one’s self-esteem
13. Reduces the amount of time it takes us to fall asleep and increases the duration of sleep.
14. Gratitude add years to our life – strong possibility that you live longer on this earth
15. Increased strength and vitality
16. Good on our emotions as it helps us to bounce back and have a good come back in life
17. Helps us to have a positive feeling and generally makes us feel good
18. We are more relaxed
19. Gratitude reduces the feelings of envy and discontentment
20. We are friendlier to others and more sensitive to their needs.
21. Gratitude deepens the bond of friendship
22. The practice of gratitude in marriage bring about a stronger bond and raises the positivity ratio to a far higher level than if one is not grateful
23. Gratitude helps us to better achieve our goals – works best and results best realized when a gratitude journal is maintained
24. Gratitude improves one’s decision making skills while it makes us more productive

Question: Are you sold out on the benefits of gratitude and living and practicing it in your daily life? Leave your response in the comment box below.

Gratitude begins when we no longer have the feeling of entitlement. It is not a cure-all, but when we practice it, it is a great way to improve life-satisfaction and happiness, thus making the world a better place to live in.

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