Have you ever wondered how two people can experience the exact same circumstances and yet walk away feeling very different things? Yet it happens. Ten men were healed of leprosy as Jesus walked along on His way to Jerusalem. Ten men encountered Jesus, called out to Him in a loud voice together asking, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us” (Luke 17:13). And He did. He healed them all.

Yet nine of those men took their healing and went on their way. Only one came back to say thank you. Only one threw himself at Jesus’ feet. I’ve always wondered what happened to the other nine. What was different in their perspective than that of this one man who did return?

From Luke 17:11-19, what I can gather is this one man must have realized saying a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Jesus offered him something more too. After all, if Jesus could heal his leprosy, what else could He do? Surprisingly enough, when this man did return to say thank you, Jesus offered him abundantly more. He offered that soul fulfillment, contentment, and wholeness we all need as much as we need wellbeing in our bodies.

So, let me ask you this. Is your belief about gratitude that it’s for others and only benefits them or that it offers you greater fulfillment too? God commands us many times in scripture to “give thanks.” However, when we begin to realize His commands are for our benefit as well as others, and when we discover we can experience greater contentment and wholeness in our own hearts as we appreciate God’s blessings (and those around us too), that’s when we truly grasp what this season means. And that’s when “give thanks in all circumstances” becomes possible, even if it takes a little extra grace to live out (1 Thess. 5:18).

*First published by The Joyful Life Magazine.