When Being Grateful Becomes Difficult

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Luke 17:15-16

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

 

Some of us find it difficult to say “thank you”. We may easily say “Thank you” to return good deeds we receive from other. As a matter of fact, we might be blessed through many ways.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said that if the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, men would have watched the whole night, waiting for the chance to see them. However, Ralph found that we have been so often watch the stars that we are too accustomed to them. We experience something similar as we are accustomed to blessings we have received and eventually we are not grateful anymore.

If you still think that saying thank you is simply a choice, then the story of the lepers in Luke 17:11-19 can explain us how important it is to say thank you. Luke teaches us to be thankful for God’s mercy. Ten lepers whom Jesus met in the region between Samaria and Galilee were excluded by people surround them. The lepers tried to avoid contact with people because according to law, they were not allowed to touch or be close to society.  

The lepers had no idea about theology, but they knew that Jesus was Savior. Furthermore, they called Him “Master” which means “One who has authority”. They undoubtedly entrusted their healing to Jesus. Then their wishes came true. They were healed! “And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17:14b)

The story has not finished yet. After being healed, Luke writes that only one of the lepers who responded to the miracle—he gave thanks to Jesus. It is written that he came back to Jesus and said, “Thank you,” (Luke 17:15), while the other nine went away.

When we give thanks to others for blessings we have received, we will be blessing for many people (we are blessed to be a blessing). “Thank You” contains two words of appropriate heart attitude for what we have received and gone through.

Giving thanks for everything streams huge energy in soul, and it is the right attitude before God as well.

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