More Like Jesus: Reflections on Gratitude and Humility

Lately I have been reviewing the More Like Jesus series, as I felt it might be a good way for me to have a “spiritual checkup” to gauge whether my words, thoughts, decisions, and interactions with others have been aligned with Jesus’ teachings. As part of that process, I looked up a number of quotations on some of the topics in that series. I found it both helpful and inspiring to read what others have written on these subjects. I thought that you might also find them to be uplifting, so I am sharing the quotes on two of the themes now, and from time to time I will share the quotes I’ve collected on other topics from the series. I pray they are a blessing to you.

Gratitude

“A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer's trust in the Lord and reliance of His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.”—John MacArthur

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”—William Arthur Ward

“Thankfulness creates gratitude which generates contentment that causes peace.”—Todd Stocker

“Gratitude is one of the most powerful human emotions. Once expressed, it changes attitude, brightens outlook, and broadens our perspective.”—Germany Kent

“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”—G. K. Chesterton

“To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us—and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.”—Thomas Merton

“I may not be where I want to be but I’m thankful for not being where I used to be.”—Habeeb Akande

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one of them to say thank you?”—William Arthur Ward

“Everyone enjoys being acknowledged and appreciated. Sometimes even the simplest act of gratitude can change someone’s entire day. Take the time to recognize and value the people around you and appreciate those who make a difference in your lives.”—Roy T. Bennett

“Gratitude is a decision of the will, and if a decision of the will, the choice resides squarely with us. Deciding to be thankful is no easy task. It takes work.”—Chuck Swindoll

“God says to give thanks in everything. That doesn’t mean you need to give thanks FOR everything. You don’t need to give thanks FOR that bad day. Or FOR that bad relationship. Or being passed over at work. Financial hardship. Whatever it is—you are not to give thanks FOR the difficulties, but rather IN the difficulties. That is a very important distinction, and one I think we often miss. Giving thanks IN everything shows a heart of faith that God is bigger than the difficulties and that He can use them, if you approach Him with the right heart and spirit, for your good and His glory.”—Tony Evans

“Genuine thankfulness is an act of the heart’s affections, not an act of the lips’ muscles.”—John Piper

“When we learn to read the story of Jesus and see it as the story of the love of God, doing for us what we could not do for ourselves—that insight produces, again and again, a sense of astonished gratitude which is very near the heart of authentic Christian experience.”—N. T. Wright

“In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of two ways: I can whine or I can worship! And I can’t worship without giving thanks. It just isn’t possible. When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others.”—Nancy Leigh DeMoss

“I see the glass half full and thank God for what I have.”—Ana Monnar

“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.”—A. W. Tozer

“Gratitude always comes into play; research shows that people are happier if they are grateful for the positive things in their lives, rather than worrying about what might be missing.”—Dan Buettner

“Love of God is pure when joy and suffering inspire an equal degree of gratitude.”—Simone Weil

“Most of us forget to take time for wonder, praise and gratitude until it is almost too late. Gratitude is a many-colored quality, reaching in all directions. It goes out for small things and for large; it is a God-ward going.”—Faith Baldwin

“Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.”—Sanchita Pandey

“Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue what you want.”—Roy Bennett

“Gratitude produces deep, abiding joy because we know that God is working in us, even through difficulties.”—Charles Stanley

Humility

“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”—Saint Augustine

“If you aim for only wealth, beauty, fame and power, you aim too low. Humility, gentleness, gratitude, and service is aiming high.”—Lecrae

“Humility is not a character trait to develop, it’s the natural by-product of being with Jesus.”—Louie Giglio

“For the Christian, humility is absolutely indispensable. Without it there can be no self-knowledge, no repentance, no faith and no salvation.”—A. W. Tozer

“There must be unflinching faithfulness to the Word of God, but when you come to personal dealings with others, remember who you are—you are not some special being created in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace.”—Oswald Chambers

“Humility is the ultimate standard of greatness in the Kingdom of God.”—Mike Bickle

“Humility saves man: pride makes him lose his way.”—Pope Francis

“Do you think the devil is impressed by anyone’s Bible knowledge or degree-certificates? Not at all. Satan fears only holy, humble men and women who know God.”—Zac Poonen

“I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.”—John Newton

“Humility will open more doors than arrogance ever will.”—Zig Ziglar

“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.”—Confucius

“If you plan to build a tall house of virtues, you must first lay deep foundations of humility.”—St. Augustine

“Every person that you meet knows something you don’t; learn from them.”—Unknown

“God’s choice acquaintances are humble men.”—Robert Leighton

“The essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself, or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less.”—Timothy Keller

“Be not proud of race, face, place, or grace.”—Charles Spurgeon

“I know for me, going back to the person I’ve bad-mouthed or lied to is absolutely humiliating! But isn’t it interesting that ‘humiliating’ has the same root word as ‘humility’? Part of humility is taking responsibility for my sin and asking forgiveness even when it doesn’t feel good. God wants to heal and restore your relationships, but it’s not easy.”—Chip Ingram

“Nothing sets a person so much out of the devil’s reach as humility.”—Jonathan Edwards

“If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means that you are very conceited indeed.”—C. S. Lewis

“Humility is the foundation of all other virtues; hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.”—Saint Augustine

“Through pride the devil became the devil. Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.”—C. S. Lewis

“The only humility that is really ours is not that which we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry with us, and carry out, in our daily conduct.”—Andrew Murray

“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending.”—Saint Augustine

“True humility—the basis of the Christian system—is the low but deep and firm foundation of all virtues.”—Edmund Burke

“A humble person is not one who thinks little of himself, hangs his head and says, ‘I’m nothing.’ Rather, he is one who depends wholly on the Lord for everything, in every circumstance.”—David Wilkerson

“Humility is royalty without a crown.”—Spencer W. Kimball