It is a phrase we often heard from our parents as a child, and it is a
phrase that we now use as mothers, to our own children. The question
“what will you say?” has indeed reminded us as children to say thank
you when we receive something from someone, and it is now a phrase we
use to teach our children the value of gratitude.
As we age though, we seem to forget to be grateful. Today’s society
seems to be trapped in an endless cycle of entitlement, that we
ultimately tend to forget the maker and giver of all things.
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of
difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud,
arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not
loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God, ” 2 Timothy 1:1-4
When we cease to be thankful, we tend to welcome sadness and
discontent in our lives. We no longer see the blessings we have
received. We fail as well to reflect on the bad things that could have
befallen us, if not for the mighty hand of God. We will wallow in
negativity, struggle in the inevitable challenges, and forget where
the silver linings are.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your
gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious
about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
As we live to believe that everything we own and get are things that
we deserve to have, or we worked hard for, we forget the Lord who has
generously planned and provided for everything in our lives. We forget
that it is the Lord who gives us the power to create wealth
(Deuteronomy 8:18). An ungrateful heart is the crack or vulnerability
that the enemy will take advantage of and creep through to immerse our
souls in self pity and grief.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that
they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
But as followers of Jesus, we are commanded to be thankful in all
situations. We are called to be grateful people. In his letter to the
Thessalonian church, the Apostle Paul encouraged early believers to be
thankful regardless of the circumstances they are in.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians
5:16-18
The Apostle Paul demonstrated thankfulness in His life. Even though He
was imprisoned, He still chose to sing praises and worship God. And as
He planted churches, He instilled the lesson of gratitude that brings
contentment in our lives.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be
content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need,
and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who
gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13
As present-day believers, we, all the more stand to benefit from a
life of thankfulness. When we are grateful for every blessing that God
has given us, we shift our focus from the problems that we face, to
the blessings and opportunities we still have to live a good and
abundant life. We will no longer feel sorrowful because our souls are
assured that God sees us, He has good plans for us, and He will not
abandon us.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one
body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of
Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit,
singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do,
whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:15-17
The first step is to say thank you to God consistently, as we
intentionally spend quiet time with Him everyday. When we choose to
thank Him instead of complaining about stresses in life, we open up
our eyes to see God’s graces. We are reminded that we are a child of
God and that is all that matters.
We can also express thankfulness as we write our prayer and bible
journal entries. Another way of being thankful to God is when we
worship and offer to Him what He has given us — when we sacrifice our
Time, Talent, and Treasure to do good and teach others about His
enduring love for us.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Psalm 100 and Psalms 95:1-5 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you thankful for everything God has given to
you, as well as those He chose not to give you?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for being our
Sovereign King. Thank you for being our Everlasting Father who
provides, protects, guides, and loves us. Open our eyes to see more of
the blessings you have bestowed upon us, and shift our focus on Your
amazing character. Keep us from dwelling on our hurts, and give us
the confidence to continue coming to you in thanksgiving and prayer.
Amen.
