“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, 

but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Radical gratitude means you’re going to walk through life being grateful in every situation, no matter what—when times are good, bad, right, wrong, whatever. You can develop an attitude of gratitude by choosing to be grateful in every situation. The attitude of radical gratitude actually serves others. It becomes a ministry.

Pastor, it’s just as powerful of a ministry as anything else you do.

Do you know what the word “appreciation” means? If you’ve ever bought a car, you know the meaning of depreciation. The moment you drive it off the lot, it’s worth less than you paid for it, even if it’s a brand-new vehicle. Depreciation means to decrease in value. Appreciation means to raise in value—which is what you do through your ministry.

When you appreciate your spouse, you raise his or her value. When you appreciate your kids, you raise their value. When you appreciate your ministry team, you raise their value to you and to the church. When you appreciate one of your congregants, you raise his or her value.

The ministry of appreciation raises the value of people. That’s why God says radical gratitude is a ministry. You can make a ministry out of raising the value of people simply by appreciating them.

Everybody in life needs encouragement. We all have a deep need to be affirmed, loved, and appreciated. 

If you want to be used by God, here’s one way: Affirm everybody. Appreciate everybody. Show gratitude to everybody.