How Thankfulness Impacts Our Lives

How Thankfulness Impacts Our Lives

When someone does something for us, however small, do we remember to thank them? Now consider how often God aids us and gives to us. Do we pause to thank Him and recognize His blessings, provision, and protection over us? You see, thankfulness changes the way we look at circumstances, while in contrast, complaining connects us to misery. Our gratitude and praise to God connects us to the source of real joy. Consider this, did you know to be thankful is a direct command of scripture? And if we’re not thankful, we are disobeying scripture. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Thus, the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning all of us is to give thanks in everything. Consequently, if we are not giving thanks, we are not in the will of God. That’s a very profound fact! Ephesians 5:20: “…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Being thankful originates in our will and not in our feelings; we don’t have to wait to feel thankful to be thankful. Colossians 3:15: “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” The word “rule” in Greek is arbitrate or to act as umpire…. let the peace of God act as umpire in our heart. When we are doing something, anything, and we don’t have peace, we better check our heart, as we’re probably going down the wrong path. Colossians 2:6-7: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” In anything we ever plan to do, if we can’t do it in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks while doing it, we better not do it. This will help us remove a lot of behavioral dos and do not’s; a basic principle that will guide all our words and actions. Philippians 1:3: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” The Apostle Paul specifically tells us thanksgiving should be part of every word and every action, and whatever we do in word or deed, do it in the name of Jesus giving thanks. 1 Chronicles 16:34: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Everyday make a mental list of God’s blessings, especially the most recent ones, and thank Him for them. Don’t wait to feel thankful before giving thanks. Psalm 100:4-5: “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” When thanksgiving is a regular part of our life, we stay focused on what God has done for us. This attitude of gratitude allows us to enjoy whatever blessings come our way. Truly, thankfulness does impact our lives.