Let Your Reviews Reflect Gratefulness

Writing online reviews for businesses, locations, and churches has become popular. According to recent statistics, Google accounts for approximately 57% of all online reviews. Unfortunately, about 40% of all reviews are fake or negative. Whether people are overly critical or the business genuinely deserves poor reviews, negativity is on the rise, particularly given the ability to use technology and online reviews.

These discouraging sentiments are not limited to online reviews. Far too often, our communication with others is devoid of encouragement and positivity. When we have serious conversations, they often center around complaints. But what if we flipped the script and made a conscious effort to express our gratitude toward others? Also, how would being grateful change our overall perspective? Neurologists have noted that an attitude of gratitude toward others can significantly improve our mood.

While we would be onboard to put this wise counsel into practice, especially during the week of Thanksgiving, our efforts are typically stifled by adverse circumstances. So here's the key: don't wait for your life to be perfect and drama-free to express your gratitude. Take time, even in your troubles, to give thanks to the Lord for others and then let them know. That is what the Apostle Paul did while facing persecution and enduring imprisonment in Rome. He took time to encourage the Church at Philippi about his gratefulness for them when he said, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:3-5).

You can call someone, message them, take them out, write them a note, send a gift, or even leave a positive review for a business or your church. Keep in mind that life is similar to the online world. The more positive and thankful reviews you leave online, the less impact those fake and negative reviews written by ungrateful people have. Similarly, when you intentionally show your gratitude to others, all the negative experiences, labels, and voices in their heads diminish, allowing your words of kindness to become their focus.
May God bless your efforts to express gratitude.