Show Notes

Episode 86. Gratitude Changes You

Episode 86. Gratitude Changes You

In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Why is it so easy to feel entitled?
How am I supposed to be grateful when things are so flawed?
Does gratitude really make a difference?

In this episode of This Whole Life, Pat, Kenna, and recurring guest Fr. Nathan LaLiberte dive deep into the transformative power of gratitude. They explore why gratitude isn’t optional for Christians, how it supports both mental health and spiritual maturity, and the enemies that rob us of gratefulness, including entitlement, criticism, and the difficulty of embracing imperfection. Through honest anecdotes, practical challenges, and engaging dialogue, the hosts tackle tough questions: Can gratitude coexist with the desire for improvement? How do we teach gratitude to children or grow it in ourselves during times of suffering? Tune in for real-life stories, wisdom from theology and psychology, and a hands-on exercise to nourish your own spirit of gratitude. Whether this season finds you stretched thin or overflowing, you’ll leave with fresh perspective and practical ways to cultivate thankfulness.

Show Notes

  • Gratitude is an obligation of the Christian life; it is not optional for a disciple of Jesus Christ

  • Everything that we have is an unearned gift from God our Father, and gratitude is the right response to all of those gifts

  • “Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

    • Philippians 2:14-16

  • According to St. Thomas Aquinas, gratitude is related to justice

    • Justice is about giving others what they are due, and when I receive a gift, gratitude is what the gift-giver is due

    • Religion is another form of justice: right religion and worship are what God is due because of His love for us

    • Praise is one beautiful form of gratitude

  • Dr. John Buri: To be come a happier person, take time every night to write down 5 things you’re grateful for

    • Just thinking about things you’re grateful for doesn’t work; you have to write it down

  • “Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
    Who, though he was in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
    Rather, he emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    coming in human likeness…”

    • Philippians 2:5-7

  • When St. Thérèse of Lisieux entered into the Carmel, she vowed to never say “Wouldn’t it be better if…”

  • In order to truly live in reality (be fully sane), a person has to acknowledge that all they have is gift

  • One important step toward living in gratitude is slowing down to see your giftedness and be grateful for it

  • “As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
    he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
    As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him.
    They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
    “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
    And when he saw them, he said,
    “Go show yourselves to the priests.”
    As they were going they were cleansed.
    And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
    returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
    and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
    He was a Samaritan.
    Jesus said in reply,
    “Ten were cleansed, were they not?
    Where are the other nine?
    Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
    Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
    your faith has saved you.”

    • Luke 17:11-19

Other episodes that highlight the essential nature of Gratitude

Challenge By Choice

Try the experiential habit of gratitude while you’re laying in bed at night

  • Begin lying down with your fists closed

  • Slowly identify 10 things that you are grateful for, and with each gift open one finger

  • As you end with your hands completely open, take a moment to rest in a spirit of openness and receptivity to the generosity of God, and

Reflection Questions

For personal reflection or group discussion

  1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?

  2. Do you agree that gratitude is required for Christians?

  3. What makes it difficult to be grateful?

  4. Can you recall times when you (or those around you) fell into an attitude of entitlement rather than appreciation? How did that impact you and others?

  5. What are some ways you can foster a culture of gratitude within your family, workplace, or friend group — especially with children or people who may not naturally notice their blessings?