TRLP 060: Why Gratitude is so Much More than a Feeling

Episode Theme: How choosing gratitude reshapes our leadership, our relationships, and our mental and spiritual health.

Episode Summary:
We live in a culture trained to obsess over what’s missing. But the way of Jesus flips that narrative. Gratitude doesn’t ignore hard circumstances — it invites us to see God’s goodness right in the middle of them. In this episode, Paul shares how thankfulness reorients us, strengthens us, and becomes a weapon against the lies that drain our joy. We’ll laugh a little, reflect a lot, and walk away with a practical practice to help gratitude come alive in real life.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why gratitude doesn’t always come naturally
• How thankfulness actually rewires the brain
• Why Paul calls gratitude “resistance” in a culture of scarcity
• Where Scripture anchors us when the struggle gets real (1 Thess. 5:18, Psalm 100:4, Luke 22:19, Philippians 1:3)
• A simple daily challenge to speak gratitude into someone’s life

Key Takeaways:

• Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s lacking to Who’s present
• Thanksgiving is a doorway into God’s presence, peace, and perspective
• You can give thanks in all circumstances without pretending you’re thankful for all circumstances
• Naming what you’re grateful for disrupts the enemy’s lies
• Leaders become healthier when love, not lack, sets the tone

Practice of the Week — “Name It Forward”
1️⃣ Think of someone God has used to bless your life
2️⃣ Tell them specifically why you’re thankful
3️⃣ Watch how encouragement multiplies joy

Questions for Reflection:

• Where do I naturally drift — toward gratitude or grumbling?
• What’s one gift from God I’ve been overlooking?
• Who can I thank today for the impact they’ve had on me?

⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Thanks for listening to The Reluctant Leader Podcast with Paul Jenkins! Find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and be sure to read the stuff I'm writing on my blog.

Rather watch the video? Head over to The Reluctant Leader Podcast on my YouTube channel.