The Power Of Thanks.
Would you say you are a thankful person? What things are you truly grateful for? Do you say, “Thank you!” when someone does something for you, or do you take it for granted and expect them to be kind because they are related or because they are your friend? Are you more thankful or needy? A good barometer is in how you pray. Do you come to God with your wish list or do you come into His presence with thanksgiving? Do you spend more time praising Him or begging Him? Do you even acknowledge Him?
Gratitude comes in degrees. What I mean by that, is someone who has been desperate, at the bottom, at the end of their rope, when they get saved, their level of gratitude is off the charts…because where they came from was total darkness and despair. Think of someone who has been healed of a terrible disease. Do you think they are jumping for joy when they get healed? Well, you don’t have to look far for examples of people that did just that. When Jesus healed them, they could not contain themselves.
But what about the little things in life? Shouldn’t we be thankful for the little blessings that come our way? Absolutely. The Bible says to give thanks in all things. Have an attitude of gratitude.
Principle 1. Be thankful continually for the blessings God brings your way. It will change how you look at God, how you treat other people, and how you respond to the ups and downs that come your way.
Principle 2. Being grateful is an act of humility. It is a part of true worship. If all you do is send up your requests to God, you are missing the opportunity to experience God’s peace and true joy. He inhabits the praises of His people. Try it…you’ll like it.
Principle 3. Gratitude is something that costs you nothing, and yet returns great rewards. God loves it when we are grateful, and so do other people. Aren’t you more apt to do things for people that are grateful for what you have done? A simple heart-felt thank you goes a long way with God…and with every person you know.
Principle 4. Giving thanks for the small blessings makes you aware of just how blessed you are. I think about the Apostle Paul, sitting in prison, in chains. They beat him repeatedly and kept him locked up. What did he do? He started singing praises to God. Wow. That sure helps me put things in perspective in my life.
My hope and prayer is that we all learn to turn it up a notch on the gratitude scale. Being thankful is one way to enhance every relationship…both here and in Heaven.
Shalom!
Dan Skognes