Stop Whining and Choose Gratitude
Believers should be known for their gratitude, but let’s be honest: we’re living in a world that’s mastered the art of whining. Scroll through social media, flip on the news, or actively participate in “normal” conversations. What do you hear? Complaints about the weather, the government, the price of eggs, or how someone’s always being wronged. It’s as if we have created a cultural hierarchy on who is the biggest victim, who has suffered the most, or who deserves more attention based on the long list of grievances in their past.
But here’s the thing: if you’re a follower of Jesus, this constant griping should feel like wearing sweatpants—ugly and unnatural. The way of Jesus is supposed to look different. It’s supposed to shine like a lighthouse, pointing people to something better. And I’m convinced that one of the best ways we can do that is by embracing gratitude.
Before you roll your eyes and think I’m about to advocate some sort of touchy-feely nonsense, allow me to explain a bit more what I mean. Gratitude isn’t just a warm fuzzy feeling, or a sappy quote slapped on a beautiful landscape photograph. It’s a radical, counter-cultural choice rooted in the heart of the gospel. The Bible is packed with calls to give thanks, no matter the circumstances. (Over 150 times, by some estimates.) Even here on Rambling Ever On, we’ve written quite a few articles on the topic of gratitude and thanksgiving. Today’s article might not break any new ground, but I hope it will reinforce a few important ideas and perhaps reframe some others you have not considered.
Take 1 Thessalonians 5:18, one of the most well-known passages on gratitude: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” All circumstances? Really? Even when you are stuck in soul-sucking traffic or worse, when life punches you in the face with loss, tragedy, or betrayal? Yep. Paul’s not suggesting we fake it or paste a smile on our pain. He’s saying gratitude is a posture of trust, a way of saying, “God, I don’t understand this, but I know you are good.”
In Psalm 100, the psalmist writes, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” This isn’t just lovely poetry, and believe me, it is lovely and poetic. It’s a command to approach God with a heart full of gratitude. Why? Because gratitude reorients us. It pulls our focus off our problems and onto the One who’s bigger than them. We get really myopic when we focus on the negative. Gratitude has a way of expanding and strengthening our vision. We see the world through God’s eyes when we are thankful people.
Pop culture gives us plenty of examples of what happens when gratitude goes missing. Take almost any sitcom. Conflict typically arises when a character, or two, decide that someone has wronged them or they are missing out on something great. Scheming and plotting ensue, which lead to hijinks and hilarity. Lessons are usually learned by the end, and we all walk away entertained. I guess.
But what works for 30-minute sitcoms is no way to live life. As believers, we should reject these role models and their cycles of dysfunction. We are called to a better and more fulfilled life. And that starts with being thankful, which by definition, does not include pity parties, claims of victimhood, or general grumbling.
Contrast that with someone like Mr. Rogers. Yes, that Mr. Rogers. In a world obsessed with cynicism, Fred Rogers was a bastion of gratitude. He’d pause to thank the various people he interacted with throughout his day. And this wasn’t simple naivete. He knew life could be difficult. But he chose to see the good, to thank others, to remind us that “it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.” Mr. Rogers was profoundly counter cultural in all the right ways.
That’s the kind of vibe Jesus followers should be bringing to the table. We should be a little weird. A little off. Our neighbors and coworkers should look at us and sense that there is something different, and better, about our lives. Mr. Rogers wasn’t cool in any cultural sense. But his joy and gratitude were authentic and palpable in a way believers should strive to emulate.
So, how do we make gratitude our default setting in a world where whining and victimhood is rewarded and celebrated? Here are a few suggestions I’ve been mulling over the past few weeks.
1. Start Small, but Start Now
Gratitude doesn’t require a instantaneous life overhaul. It’s like learning to do anything challenging or difficult. Begin with the little stuff. Thank God for your morning coffee, the way your dog looks at you when he wants your food, or the fact that your car got you from point A to point B. In Luke 16:10, Jesus says, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” The same principle applies to gratitude. If you can’t thank God for the small stuff, you’ll probably miss it when He blesses you in big ways.
2. Document your gratitude.
Writing down three things you’re thankful for each day rewires your brain. It’s science and everything! Studies show gratitude boosts serotonin and dopamine, the chemicals in your brain that make you happy. More importantly, it’s Biblical. In Psalm 77, Asaph recounts God’s past faithfulness to pull himself out of despair. Take a few minutes to list what God’s done for you. My guess is you will be overwhelmed by all the blessings of God in your life.
3. Opposite Day!
Next time you’re tempted to vent about your boss or the guy who cut you off in traffic, pause. Ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can be thankful for in this moment?” Maybe your job’s stressful, but it pays the bills. Maybe that nimrod in the SUV reminded you to slow down and avoid a ticket. Philippians 4:8 tells us to focus on “whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable.” That’s not just a suggestion—it’s an exhortation to reframe our perspective.
4. Share Your Gratitude Publicly
Gratitude is contagious. When you thank someone, you’re not just blessing them; you’re modeling a different way to live. From my experience, the more grateful someone is, the more I want to be around them. Their gratitude is welcoming and warming and encouraging. People tend to avoid the “Debbie Downers” in their lives. If people seem to be avoiding you, it might be time to take a hard look at yourself and your whining/gratitude ratio.
Instead of complaining, try posting a gratitude-focused update on social media or telling a friend why you’re thankful for them. You might be surprised how things change.
5. Anchor your gratitude in the Gospel
Gratitude isn’t just a self-help trick; it’s grounded in the cross. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that salvation is a gift we didn’t earn. If God gave us His Son when we were still sinners, how can we not be thankful? The gospel is the ultimate reason to get rid of the victim mindset. We’re not owed anything, yet we’ve been given everything. That truth should make gratitude as natural as breathing. As we are reminded in the Psalms, “let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.” We can go one step further: Let our every breath praise the Lord.
It’s not easy. I know. I’ve struggled with this throughout my life. When things are good, I am the most thankful person around. When life is not so good, well, let’s just say my attitude is not always as Christ-like as it should be.
Life is messy and hard, and it beats us down in so many ways. This broken and fallen world works so very hard to steal our joy and gratitude. But even in the dark of the night, we can echo Habakkuk 3:17-18: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines… yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” That’s not denial; it’s defiance—a refusal to let circumstances steal our joy. It’s a rejection to accept life on its terms but to instead seek the Kingdom of God first and foremost in our lives.
So, let’s stop whining and instead, choose gratitude. In a world saturated in complaints, let’s be the ones who shine with thanksgiving, pointing others to the God who’s worthy of it all. Because when we do, we’re not just living better, we are reflecting the light and love of Jesus to everyone we encounter. And there is no better way to live than that.
- The Fall of Michael Tait:Five Things We Can Learn - June 7, 2025
- Stop Whining and Choose Gratitude - May 16, 2025
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Timely. Relevant.
Thank you for sharing this.