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Develop the Attitude of Gratitude 

Isn’t this an attitude we should all have? And it really shouldn’t be that hard. Just look around.

Did you know nearly half of the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 a day? According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day. 805 million people do not have enough food to eat. In fact, hunger is the number one cause of death around the world, killing more than HIV and AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. More than 750 million people lack adequate access to clean drinking water—which is a big deal, because diarrhea caused by unclean water kills an estimated 842,000 people every year globally—that’s approximately 2,300 per day. And finally, roughly 1.6 billion people live without electricity. This is not to guilt you, but only to remind us that we have more to be thankful for than what we do not.

David wrote, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works” (Psalm 107:8). The more gratitude grows within us, the less likely we ever will take for granted all that is around us.

Here are a few things you can do today to help grow this attitude. One, write down five things you are thankful for, and to whom (if it involves a person). Two, send a card, text, or e-mail, to someone, telling them how thankful you are for them. Three, before you ask God for anything, thank Him first for everything. Four, tip a little larger than normal. And finally, find a way to serve someone— open a door, extend a smile, lend a hand.