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Abounding

AboundingBlog

A grateful life is a beautiful life. It’s compelling. It’s attractive. It’s contagious. Being around thankful people is pleasant. They are humble, optimistic, and appreciative.

And according to growing secular research, they are healthy and productive. Dr. Robert Emmons is recognized as the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude. He writes: 

“For more than a decade, I’ve been studying the effects of gratitude on physical health, psychological well-being, and relationships with others. People who practice gratitude consistently report a host of benefits: stronger immune systems, better sleep, a more outgoing, alert, optimistic, generous, helpful, compassionate, forgiving attitude. Gratitude has been shown to block toxic, negative emotions such as envy, resentment, regret—emotions that can destroy our happiness. Gratitude has even been shown to reduce depression, stress and anxiety.” 

Yes, the grateful life is the good life. But that’s not earth-shattering. You already know gratitude is good for you and for others. I’ll wager you also know gratitude is God’s will for you (He commands it in multiple places) and that an unthankful heart is a sign of drifting further from God toward idolatry (Romans 1:21). No doubt, you already know all that. But what you may not know is how to actually be thankful—how to abound.  

The title comes from one of Paul’s letters to the church, where he encourages Christians to be “abounding in thanksgiving.” 

Abounding. It’s a word that means to overflow. Usually, the idea of overflowing makes us nervous—at least it does me. I have kids! I know about overflowing. Toilets overflow. Bathtubs overflow. Sinks overflow. Rivers overflow. Overflow is usually a scary word.

But not always. Hearts overflow too. That’s why Paul uses this word. It means “in excess, plentiful, exceeding.” He’s describing a flooded heart that is spilling over the banks. An abounding heart. What’s flowing over the rim? Gratitude.  

According to Paul, a grateful life flows (or overflows) from a grateful heart. If we’re honest, gratitude is not what we’re normally abounding in. We’re flooding over with resentment, anger, bitterness, disappointment, and fear. Thanksgiving is elusive.    

It’s going to take more than a national holiday to make you grateful. Turkey and gravy may help. But you can’t calendar gratitude—especially not now, in a pandemic, with political strife, and an uncertain economy. You need help.  

Gratitude doesn’t grow naturally. It’s not a happy accident or a feeling you slap on top of an already discontent, complaining heart. You can’t manufacture it with raw will power.

A formula for gratitude emerges from this passage. Paul wrote, “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). See it? 

First, Paul reminds us that Christian gratitude is the overflow of the heart that has been flooded with the most important thing of all, God’s Grace. “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord…” Jesus is not a reward to earn. You don't earn Christ. You receive him. And then you walk in him, being rooted, built up, and established. That’s Paul’s formula. He borrowed terms from horticulture, construction, and a court of law.   

ROOTED: This word is from gardening. It means support from a nourishing, life-giving environment. Picture a strong, anchored plant that is healthy and growing. If you’re rooted, gratitude will find it’s way into your heart and bubble up into your life.    

In Karate Kid III, Daniel takes Mr. Miyagi's prized Bonsai tree from its home. But the tree gets stolen, the trunk ripped in two, and the roots doused with salt water. Racked with guilt and fear, Daniel confesses his mistake to Mr, Miyagi and asks: “Will the tree survive?” Mr. Miyagi replies: “Depends. If strong root, tree survive. If not, tree die.”  

To be rooted is to be deeply united to Christ. Tumbleweeds blow wherever the wind carries their rootless bodies. But rooted Christians are secure.  

BUILT UP: This word is from architecture. It pictures a rising structure built on a solid foundation. As believers, we are continually being built up. We’re progressing and advancing, being strengthened in Him.

Sarah and I watched in sadness as a large construction project near our first house was left abandoned because of rain and poor planning. As expected, mold broke out and the entire project was condemned and scrapped. Millions of dollars and hard work wasted. It was torn down, not built up. The builder, owner, and investors were ashamed. 

 ESTABLISHED: This is a legal term. It means confirmed, verified, proven. Like an expert testimony in court, you have been validated and guaranteed. Your faith can stand up to daily testing when under assault. The idea is approval and assurance. 

You’re confirmed in your belief so confidence is growing. Misgivings and doubts are waning. You come into the courtroom fearlessly. You have believed the truth. Jesus is your advocate. Your life is built upon the truthfulness of His claims—and you’re grateful.  

Rooted, built up, and established—in Christ. You’re anchored, growing, and assured. What does that produce? Gratitude. Nothing to fear. Nothing to lose. Nothing to hide.  

If you read the rest of Paul’s letter, you'll see other perks of abounding. A grateful life is a protected life. Toxic beliefs don’t stick. An unthankful heart is wide-open to “being deceived, being judged, being taken captive, and being disqualified.” A thankful heart is not easily led away from Christ. But a discontent believer is easy prey for false teachers who offer “just what you’ve been missing.” If I'm thankful for what I have, I won't need other systems to help me cope with the bankruptcy of my own beliefs. May your heart abound in gratitude this year as you ponder who you are in Christ and walk in Him.