To receive a gift and say, “thank you,” is one of the most humble and honorable acts of humankind. There’s nothing small or trivial about it. To say “thank you” acknowledges we’ve been given something we don’t deserve and can’t earn. Happy is the one who understands that all good things come as a gift of God and that life itself is the ultimate gift!
First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in ChristJesus.” Expressingappreciationisspiritually and emotionally beneficial, because without gratefulness, we become arrogant, entitled and self-centered. (Romans 1:21-22): “Even though they knew God, they did not honor Him…or give thanks…and their foolish heart was darkened.” Thankfulness keeps us aware of God, the Giver of all good gifts.
Giving thanks reminds us of how much we do have. We’re prone to want what others have; tending to focus on what we don’t have. By continually giving thanks, we focus on blessings rather than wants, and we become more content. Thanking God for things we normally take for granted changes our perspective. We realize we could not even exist without the merciful blessings of God. There are many things for which we can give thanks, and many ways to do it. We may realize it’s important, but wonder, “How can I always give thanks to God in all things? There’s war, poverty, hunger, sickness, death, injustice—terrible evil in our world. Does God really expect us to thank Him for such awfulness?”
We don’t thank God for evil, because evil never comes from God. We thank Him for giving us strength to endure victoriously when encountering evil. Scripture reminds us: “Without faith it’s impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). When we respond to God with a spirit of thanksgiving— even in difficult times—we’re demonstrating faith. By thanking God in the midst of terribly hard circumstances, we’re saying, “God, even though I can’t see You clearly in this right now, I trust that You love me and have already made provision for this circumstance.”
Choosing to give thanks in all things produces a supernatural peace that makes no sense to the unsaved world. This kind of peace is only available from God as Jesus lives His supernatural life in and through us by His Holy Spirit. When we thank God by faith in every circumstance, we also experience supernatural joy because we turn our eyes away from the problem and onto God’s provision. Because joy comes from the Holy Spirit living in us, we don’t have to feel happy with our external circumstances to experience internal joy. (Philippians 4:4-8).
We can grieve and still be peaceful. We can hurt and still have joy. We can be angry at sin and still be thankful toward God. Giving thanks to God guards our hearts and keeps us from a host of harmful emotions and attitudes that steal the peace and joy God has given.
A thankful heart is characteristic of the life lived in the Holy Spirit. We express gratitude by praying, singing, giving, witnessing, loving, and living daily from the power of Christ Jesus. This generates God’s supernatural peace and joy.
(Romans 15:13 Amplified) “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace through the experience of your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be bubbling over with hope.”
Infinite Grace Ministries teaches freedom from ignorance and bondage by focusing on the wisdom, knowledge and freedom of God’s Word. By praying and giving financially, you are an essential part of this ministry of hope. Please consider Infinite Grace Ministries in your year-end and year-round giving! Your generosity is an eternal investment in this and future generations. Call 580-774-2884 for information about convenient auto- debit.
