Live Big with Derek Grier

Episode: The Blessings of Gratitude

Date: October 13, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Dr. Derek Grier explores the transformative power of gratitude, using the biblical account of Jesus healing the ten lepers (Luke 17:11–19) as the foundation. Focusing on how gratitude leads not only to physical healing but to true wholeness, Dr. Grier weaves together scriptural truth, personal anecdotes, and relevant life applications. He passionately encourages listeners to pursue a genuine relationship with God, marked by prayer, worship, and above all, thankfulness—reminding us that it's gratitude that distinguishes those who truly experience God's fullness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesus' Determination and Context

• Journey to Jerusalem:
  • Jesus continued his journey despite knowing the suffering that awaited him ("The amazing thing is Jesus kept walking. And whenever I feel like giving up ... I can't help but think about Jesus." — 00:29).
• Deeper meaning of the route:
  • Jesus passed through Samaria and Galilee—two regions in conflict—to show that his mission broke down social barriers and reached the marginalized.

2. The Plight of the Lepers

• Social Isolation and Stigma:
  • Lepers were forced to self-quarantine and endure public humiliation ("So this was basically our social distancing and quarantine on steroids. I mean, they really, really, really suffered because of this disease." — 03:36).
  • Leprosy invoked fear, rejection, and a belief in divine punishment.
• Personal Reflection:
  • Dr. Grier relates the leper’s distance to times when people isolate themselves because of shame or unworthiness.

3. The Power and Purpose of Prayer

• The Importance of Asking:
  • The lepers “lifted up their voices”—a model of praying out loud and boldly ("Sometimes you have not because you ask not. And if there's one thing I could teach you, it's how to pray." — 05:07).
• Submitting to the Master:
  • The lepers addressed Jesus as "Master," signifying submission and surrender.
  • Dr. Grier emphasizes that God is responsible for what we submit to Him:

    "God is only responsible for the parts of my life that I submit to Him." (09:47)

4. Obedience Over Feelings

• Acting on Jesus’ Command:
  • Jesus' instruction to show themselves to the priests required risky obedience ("Go show yourselves to the priests. This was a big ask because it was the priests that diagnosed and declared that they were unclean in the first place. And at this point, they were still sick." — 14:02).
  • Real faith moves beyond feelings to action:

    "Many of us have a feel good religion instead of a do right religion. And we have to learn to get past what we feel to do what's right." (17:11)

  • Healing came “as they went,” not before; obedience precedes blessing.

5. The Power of Gratitude

• The One Who Returned:
  • Only one leper—an outsider, a Samaritan—returned to thank Jesus ("He returned with a loud voice ... glorified God." — 22:18).
  • Gratitude breaks social and religious norms, and is publicly expressive.
• Passionate Worship:
  • Dr. Grier urges listeners to worship unashamedly and loudly:

    "How is it we do so much when we're dealing with an unclean state, but when God cleanses us and changes us, all of a sudden we get shy." (24:28)

6. Gratitude in Everyday Life

• Thankfulness Over Entitlement:
  • The nine who didn't return represent a spirit of entitlement, while the grateful Samaritan reminds believers to never lose their wonder.
  • "The sin of ingratitude is greater than the sin of taking revenge. With revenge, you return evil for evil, but with ingratitude, you return evil for good." (31:04)
• Personal Application:
  • Dr. Grier shares a personal story about learning to appreciate his wife, underscoring how gratitude transforms relationships (32:28).
• Wholeness Over Healing:
  • Jesus says, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well," signifying that gratitude leads to true wholeness (36:08). The nine were healed, but only the grateful one was made whole.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On prayer and submission:

  "The disciples didn't ask Jesus, teach me how to preach. They said, 'Lord, teach us how to pray.'" (06:37)

• On giving worries to God:

  "I'm not the owner of my life. So the problem I'm facing is not my problem, it's God's problem." (08:55)

• On obedience and feelings:

  "The cross didn't feel good. Gethsemane didn't feel good ... but Jesus didn't do what felt good. ... If you call Him Lord, you better do what the Master says." (17:49)

• On gratitude after suffering:

  "This man had just gone through the ordeal of his life ... but when Jesus got him to the other side, he made sure he came back to give God thanks." (28:12)

• On true wellness:

  "God can heal you physically. He could heal your finances, your circumstances. But you're not whole until He heals you by giving you a grateful heart." (37:03)

Important Timestamps

• 00:29 — Jesus’ determination and continued journey
• 03:36 — The social isolation of leprosy and parallels to shame
• 05:07 — The importance of asking/prayer
• 09:47 — On surrendering to God’s lordship and spiritual responsibility
• 14:02 — Jesus’ instruction vs. common sense; faith in action
• 17:49 — Real faith moves beyond feelings
• 22:18 — The Samaritan returns and expresses gratitude loudly
• 24:28 — Challenge to unashamed worship
• 28:12 — Gratitude after enduring hardship
• 31:04 — The seriousness of ingratitude
• 32:28 — Personal story of gratitude in marriage
• 36:08 — Jesus pronounces true wholeness to the grateful leper
• 37:03 — Link between gratitude and complete healing

Final Encouragements

• Stop focusing on what you lack; gratitude for what you have brings true wholeness.
• Apply thankfulness in every area: family, church, daily living.
• Let worship and gratitude become regular, passionate practices—not just reserved for easy times or safe places.
• "Our worship each week is simply practice for eternity." (33:34)

Episode Takeaways

• Wholeness, not just healing, comes through gratitude.
• God responds to surrender and obedient action—miracles often happen "as you go."
• Earnest, unashamed worship is the natural response of a grateful heart.
• True gratitude transforms perspectives, relationships, and one’s spiritual life.