Welcome to day two of my personal ‘thanks-fest’. I appreciate you joining me.
Without further ado, let’s jump right into those reasons why we should be thankful to God.
The following pointers provide us with a biblical perspective for maintaining a heart of gratitude.
Reason 1:
The failure to be thankful darkens our hearts and causes us to entertain confusing and futile thoughts.
…because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21)
Chambers 21st Century Dictionary defines futile as follows: unproductive, unavailing, foolish, vain, or pointless.
Actions, are in effect, enacted thoughts, so if your efforts are consistently unproductive, or unsuccessful, perhaps the underlying cause is an unthankful attitude.
Reason 2:
A habitual failure to be thankful encourages a murmuring spirit, which God hates (see Numbers 21:5-7). God sees grumbling and complaining as ungodly traits (Jude 1:15-16).
Reason 3:
A thankful heart keeps us humble. We recognise that it is because of the goodness of God that we are able to enjoy whatever benefits and blessings we have. We acknowledge that if it were not for his breath within us, keeping us alive, we would not be in a position to work, or possess the capacity to make our efforts fruitful and productive.
Again and again, the Bible clearly shows that pride will deceive us into thinking that our achievements and accrued blessings are the sole result of our own efforts. We should take warning from the stories of Nebuchadnezzar and his son, Belshazzar.
Although both were influential Persian kings with great wealth, they were each humbled by God because of their boastful failure to acknowledge and glorify Him as the one who had exalted them (see Daniel chapters 4-5).
In direct contrast, we see that Daniel was accustomed to praying and giving God thanks, so God prospered him. (Daniel 6:10, 28).
God instructs us to:
…remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth… (Deuteronomy 8:18).
How do we remember him? By expressing our thanks and appreciation. By maintaining an attitude of gratitude.
Reason 4:
A thankful heart moves us towards wholeness and opens the door to experiencing the miraculous. Remember the 10 lepers? I love reading this account in the old King James’ authorised version. It reveals that whilst the 9 ungrateful lepers were cleansed from leprosy, the one who returned to express his thanks, was made whole.
To me that means those who were cleansed no longer suffered from the cause and accompanying symptoms that marked them out as lepers (i.e. rashes, sores and infection). However, I believe the one who was made whole, probably experienced a supernatural miracle – the re-growth of lost fingers and toes! And all because he expressed his appreciation to the Lord. What a wonderful fringe benefit!
Reason 5:
Finally, thankfulness when combined with praise or prayer requests, produces a dynamic and effective spiritual life and promotes confidence in the presence of God (Psalm 100:4; Philippians 4:6).
The Bible is replete with exhortations to thank God. In Psalm 107, the following words are repeated four times:
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
In light of the above, I would encourage anyone who does not currently maintain an attitude of gratitude to the Lord, to repent and make immediate amends.
Meanwhile Women of Warfare! followers and visitors, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
Best wishes,
Carol
“…If you love what you are doing, you will be successful” – Albert Schweitzer
https://apurposedrivenachiever.wordpress.com
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