Maturity Short-circuit

Gratitude and thankfulness is part of a process of receiving. Learning to receive is the first task of infant maturity. To learn to receive without resistance includes gratitude.

When gratitude is forced it short-circuits the development of the ability to receive freely. I am beginning to see that my life-long difficulty in expressing thanks is a symptom, not necessarily the problem itself as I was always scolded. I have a deep, inner resistance to receiving freely. Yes this may be linked to pride and independence, but is has much more to do with stunted maturity development. This very likely is tied to improper and rushed maturity training when I was very young that was premature for me at the time. When a skill of maturity is imposed on a growing mind before it is ripe for that skill, the outward compliance may or may not be achieved, but the inner wiring is scrambled and the person is setup for life-long problems until God brings healing by reconstructing the original mess-up.

The secret intimacy of the Lord is for those who fear Him,

And He will make them know His covenant.

My eyes are continually toward the Lord,

For He will pluck my feet out of the net. Ps. 25:14,15