Thankfulness

A season of thanksgiving- not just the time around the kitchen table, but the few months of the year everyone seems to stop and express thankfulness. Maybe it is the cooler weather that sparks the thought, or the holidays that take our minds to thoughts of thankfulness; thankfulness should not just be a season, but a way of living. 

Our attitude of thankfulness shows our gratitude to the Father who made all things possible. I find the word thankful taking on new meaning the older that I get; it is easy to be thankful when things are good, but as time goes on its about learning to be thankful even when our circumstances are bad….why? because without the trying of our faith we cannot grow, and if we don’t grow we will always be infants in Christ. {James 1:2}

Our thankfulness has to extend beyond the surface, we have to dig deeper and find our thankfulness for the messy stuff too. Thankful that God is refining us to be used for his ultimate purpose. Thankful that he has placed us in a new season to watch us grow.

There are so many elements linked in to our thankfulness-

{Philippians 4:13} When we express our thanks for what God has done and is doing it eliminates anxiety, it eliminates fear, it pushes away darkness. Daily thankfulness sets our sights on something greater.

{Colossians 3:15} Thankfulness unlocks peace; Priscilla Shirer put it perfectly in the Armor of God Study “Thankfulness activates peace, and trust fuels thanksgiving.” We will have a hard time finding peace when we don’t have a thankful heart. When we fully trust the Father, we are thankful no matter the circumstance.

{Ephesians 2:8-10} Thankfulness should move us to do something for Christ. God called us and saved us NOT to sit still but to work and serve for his kingdom. When we are thankful for what he is beautifully working in our lives and the salvation provided to us we are ready to do the work he has called us to.

{1 Thessalonians 5:18} Thankfulness should be done at all times and in all things. Probably one of the most recited verses around Thanksgiving. Give thanks in all circumstances, at all times, even when it doesn’t seem like it there is always something to thank God for; when the valley may be low we can always be thankful he is walking with us, for what he is teaching us and that he will eventually bring us out. It is easy to be thankful when you are on top of the mountain, and when the views are beautiful, but when the valley is low and dark and we are still thankful because we trust his plan, that goes far beyond just the thankfulness we express around a dinner table. Be thankful in all things.

Thankfulness is a continuous attitude, one that we should strive to always have. Make the habit of being thankful no matter what.