At the Heart of Thankfulness

     Someone recently told me that "unthankfulness cultivates an attitude of entitlement." That has really been sticking with me lately. There are so many things that I don't think to thank God for in a day. I can see, I can hear, I can walk, I can smell and taste, I live in a free country, I have godly family and friends, I can afford luxaries, and most importantly, I have been saved by Jesus' blood on the cross by no merit of my own. These things are so easy to take for granted because most people have never been without them, but they're blessings from God that we need to be taking time to thank Him for. When we don't take the time to thank God, we are telling Him that we deserve everything we've been given.

Pray without ceasing. In EVERYTHING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess. 5:17-18

Thankfulness should be the Christian's native emotion. If we have learned to pray without ceasing, then thankfulness should come naturally to us. Some people don't really understand how to "pray without ceasing," but it's really quite simple. In everything that you say and do, have a sub conscience reference to God. Whether it's sorrow or gladness, sickness or health, prosperity or adversity - in everything we are to give thanks, whether we like the circumstances or not.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Col. 3:15

A deep and true heart of thankfulness comes when one has the peace of God in their heart. We should have a sense of unity with God and with our fellow man. Matthew Henry says, "Thankfullness to God helps to make us agreeable to all men." How can we remain unified as one body in the Lord? By being thankful.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Col 3:17

Every one of our actions should be followed by thanksgiving. We are to do every duty not only for God and for His glory, but with a heart of thankfulness. We should be thankful that we get to work and serve a God so abundantly full of mercy. It doesn't matter what we are doing, it should be accompianted by an attitude of fervent gratefulness.

"Gratitude is our ability to see the grace of God, morning by morning, no matter what greets us in the course of the day." - Craig Barnes

   

     Do we take time to thank God for saving us, for dying on the cross to pay for all of our sins?  Do we take the time to thank God for the material blessings, as well as all of the spiritual blessings? Do we have an attitude of thanksgiving that our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ can see? Are we thankful for the work that we get to do in service to God? If we aren't taking time to be grateful, we are displaying an attitude of entitlement. We don't have a right to any of the things God gives, and it's our duty as Christians to take the time to thank God daily for all of the blessings He has given to us. Let's give thanks, for He has truly given us so much!

Stay excellent!