🕊️PRAY HERE Devotion🕊️ “Same Blessings, Different Gratitude”

Scripture: Luke 17:15–19 (NIV)

“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan… Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’”

Devotion: Being full of gratefulness should be a daily practice. There is always something to thank God for. Our level of gratitude reveals the posture of our heart and speaks volumes about our character.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “born with a silver spoon in their mouth.” It describes someone born into wealth, who never knew what it was like to struggle or go without. One ironic thing I’ve observed, and I’ve researched and witnessed this many times, is that people who have been given the most are often the least thankful.

Having so much can create a sense of entitlement that cancels out gratitude.

Always receiving… never lacking… never having to fight for anything… can easily make a person feel like they are supposed to have whatever comes their way. That they are owed blessings, favors, help, or respect.

But I’ve also seen this entitlement among people who are considered low-income or “poor” by society. Many receive so much charitable help that they end up living just as comfortably, and sometimes better, than those who receive no assistance. I work with individuals every day who are truly blessed, yet they complain constantly and never say “thank you.” They act as if people are supposed to give them everything they receive.

It reminds me of that spoiled, entitled child that nobody wants to babysit!

And I find myself thinking,“Wowwwww! I just don’t understand the lack of gratitude.”

Which brings us to today’s scripture.

In Luke 17, Jesus healed ten lepers.

Leprosy was a bacterial disease that caused painful skin lesions, nerve damage, and even paralysis. It was so contagious that lepers had to live isolated and shout “Unclean!” if anyone came near them. Their daily life was uncomfortable, humiliating, and filled with suffering.

You would think that after being healed of something like this, great gratitudewould follow.

How would you respond if Jesus healed you of something so life-altering?

Yet out of the ten who were healed, only ONE came back to thank Jesus.

Only one lifted his voice in praise.

Only one fell at Jesus’ feet in gratitude.

Only one acknowledged the miracle.

The other nine got their blessing and kept walking.

Same healing.

Same blessing.

Different gratitude.

Just like today, people receive the same favor, the same protection, the same provision ; but they do not respond the same. Some are deeply thankful. Others complain more than they praise. Some worship. Others take and never look back.

No matter how much or how little you have, you can find something to be thankful for.

Let’s refocus our perspective. Look around and recognize that God didn’t have to do anything He has done for you. People don’t have to be kind, generous, supportive, or helpful to you either.

Choose gratitude.

Practice thankfulness daily.

Be intentional about it.

You may not have everything you want right now. Things may not look the way you hoped they would. But instead of lingering on what’s missing, find a reason to be grateful today.

Because God is good all the time ; and all the time, God is good.

Prayer: Father, thank You for every blessing You have given me ; big and small. Forgive me for the times I have taken Your goodness for granted. Help me to recognize Your hand in my life daily and to respond with gratitude, not entitlement. Teach me to be thankful in all things and to never walk away from Your blessings without giving You glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.