Thankfulness At Thanksgiving

​Thankfulness.
 
A woman boarded a bus. Every seat was occupied. She was tired and carrying several packages. Noticing her plight, a man stood and graciously offered his seat. She sat down and promptly fainted. Upon being revived, she looked at the man who had given up his seat and said, “Thank you sir” whereupon he promptly fainted!
 
“Thank you” is so rare today. You may feel like fainting when someone says “thank you” to you, but God will never faint when you give thanks to Him.
 
The Thanksgiving holiday 2022 is just around the corner. I need not tell you that 2022 has been and continues to be an incredibly challenging season in our lives. Because of the ups and downs of 2022, it is vital to focus our faith and be thankful to the One who is worthy of our praise and gratitude.
 
David wrote in Psalm 92:1-2 “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; to declare Thy loving-kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night. Psalm 92:1-2
 
The Psalmist declares that it is GOOD to give thanks to the Lord. Gratitude to God is a good thing! When we arise in the morning praise for His loving-kindness should be on our lips. Retiring at night, our last conscious act before slipping off to sleep should be to thank Him for His faithfulness.
 
Indeed, it is good to give thanks to the Lord.
 
Someone said “He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness.” Excellent thought. Thankful people are secure, happy people. A thankful heart is a healthy heart. A grateful mind is a great mind. Gratitude is a sign of a life lived well.
 
Gratitude is the memory of the heart.
 
 I believe that if a person is not thankful for what he has, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he is going to get. Gratitude is an attitude that we cultivate daily. I have discovered that gratitude is a great antidote for anxiety, despair, depression, discontent, jealousy, envy and a grumbling spirit. When tempted to be ungrateful, be grateful, and see what happens in your heart!
 
Reflect on these benefits of a thankful heart.
 
·      Thankfulness guards against a complaining spirit.
·      Thankfulness insulates us from bitterness.
·      Thankfulness opens up opportunities for creative ideas to flow.
·      Thankfulness inspires and encourages those around us.
·      Thankfulness pleases God and silences Satan.
 
I agree with David that it is good to give thanks to the Lord.
 
Why not set aside some undistracted time to get alone with the Lord? Praise Him from a grateful heart for the following things this Thanksgiving.
           
Ø  If your sins are forgiven and you have the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have a committed, caring, faithful husband or wife… GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have a happy, healthy, family and home life…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you attend a good Christian church which serves as a spiritual home for you and your family…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you walk in health and wholeness and do not suffer from sickness or illness …GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have been spared tragedy and calamity by God’s protecting hand…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have an excellent job that you enjoy where you feel you make a difference…GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and food in your belly…. GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have people who love you, believe in you, support you and encourage you...GIVE THANKS!
 
Ø  If you have a future and hope in God, believing that you can do all things through Jesus Christ who is your strength… then GIVE THANKS!
 
Remember to say thank you to the Lord, especially when you are under stress or pressure. Giving thanks to God in the middle of a crisis calms our spirit, brings peace to our heart and restores our perspective that the Lord is with me, for me and working on my behalf.
 
How about you? Are you going to experience a thankful Thanksgiving?
 
What about after Thanksgiving? I encourage you to develop a spirit and discipline of what I call thanks-living. Every day give God thanks for the good things in your life that come from His gracious, generous hand.  
           
Psalm 107:1-2. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving-kindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…”
 
A Word For Your Week The more you are thankful to God for what you have, the more you will have to thank God for.