In Relationships: Gratitude for Our People

The Practice of Gratitude Day 3

Relationships are, at times, our greatest joy but, let’s face it, also our biggest challenge. Whether it’s friendships, family, colleagues, or our church community, navigating different personalities, backgrounds, and preferences isn’t always easy. And yet, relationships are one of God’s primary ways of refining and blessing us.

In Proverbs 27:17, we read, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

This sharpening process isn’t always smooth or painless. Anyone who’s worked on a group project or dealt with a challenging family member can attest that relationships sometimes feel more like sandpaper than polished silver. But what if we could find gratitude in the friction, trusting that God is shaping us through it?

The Apostle Paul had an interesting perspective on relationships. In his letters, he often expressed thanks for people who supported him but also for those who challenged him. In Philippians 1:3-5, Paul writes, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel.” Paul wasn’t just grateful for the easy relationships; he was thankful for the messy ones that reminded him of grace, patience, and forgiveness.

Relationships can be just as transformative and fulfilling for those who aren’t married or have no children. Friendships, mentors, teammates, neighbors—each relationship is an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love and, sometimes, His patience. Whether it’s the friend who’s always there, the coworker who sharpens our ideas, or even the difficult acquaintance who teaches us boundaries, each person has a place in our lives.

Try this: the next time someone tests your patience, pause and thank God for what they’re teaching you. Maybe they’re showing you areas where you need grace, or perhaps they’re revealing the depth of God’s patience toward you. Gratitude in relationships can look like a quick “thank You” for a friend’s listening ear, or a moment of prayer for someone who’s hard to love.

Paul’s call to “bear with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2) is a reminder that gratitude isn’t just for the easy relationships; it’s for all relationships. Thank God for the people He’s placed in your life, even if they sometimes stretch you. Those around us are mirrors of God’s love, reflections of His grace, and sometimes, divine reminders of the growth He’s calling us to.

Today, let’s approach every relationship with gratitude, knowing that God is working through each one to draw us closer to Him. With a heart full of thanks, let’s embrace the people in our lives as gifts, each bringing us a step closer to the character of Christ.

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