The Art of Thankfulness
God loves when we thank Him in all things. Giving thanks is not only one of our duties as a believer but also a way we receive peace. When we are thankful, we are peaceful.
When we are thankful, we are peaceful.
Giving thanks means, no matter what the situation, the circumstances, issues, trails, obstacles; we praise God for them. A simple way to say this is in prayer,
“Thank you Lord for what you are doing in my life, I don’t know where I’m going, where you are taking me, or how this situation is going to change, but I know your Word says you want to give us a hope and a future. So I thank you for that future, I thank for those blessings. I pray I can stay thankful and grateful, even when it seems like I shouldn’t. Holy Spirit strengthen me when I’m falling short. Lord, I know you are making the way, and you are in control of my life. Thank you for taking care of me.”
Being thankful is not just appreciation but the act of faith. To the human eye, most of our situations shouldn’t be brought up as thankfulness, because the world believes hard times require worry and anxiety. However, when we know what the Word says, for example Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV), “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” God wants to listen to our issues and worries, however, He also wants to hear from us that no matter the circumstance we are trusting in Him to bring us out and thanking Him for whatever season we are in because we know only through Him we can be brought through it.
This year has been difficult for all of us. Personally, I experienced starting over into a new job, dealing with financial burdens, as well as a failing relationship. Through it all I thanked God for the blessing He’s given, and the blessings He’s taken away. Remember, when we lose something, it’s only because He has something far much greater. Stay thankful✨.
SCripture references
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV) “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”