Ingratitude Reflects Pride
Though the Dutch had not fought against the Germans in World War I and had very much helped the German people after the war, in World War II Germany showed its ingratitude by viciously bombing Dutch civilians in the city of Rotterdam. “We find few guilty of ingratitude while we are still in a position to help them” (La Rochefoucauld). Ingratitude toward those who we believe are no longer able to help us shows that we did not love them but merely used them. As long as they benefited us, we were willing to be grateful for their help. This is a self-serving approach that is contrary to how people who belong to God’s kingdom are to respond (Heb 12:28; Phil 4:4). Ingratitude is sinful, disgraceful, rude and, thus, unloving (Prov 18:3, LB; Rom 1:21; 1 Cor 13:5).
It takes humility to be sincerely thankful. Remember, the person who is humble enough to let the Holy Spirit direct their life will express gratitude (Eph 5:18-20). When we feel strong, dominant, able to take what we want, it is easy to not be thankful. Pride fosters ingratitude and self-sufficiency. If it is hard to ask God for help it is probably even harder to thank Him for His blessings. Think about it. Even when we pray, we normally spend far more time asking Him for blessings than we do thanking Him for them (cf. Heb 13:15).
We are to express gratitude to the Lord and to others to whom that is due (Rom 13:7, NLT with CEV).
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.