41: The Value of Thankfulness
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
SOCIETAL CONSUMERISM BOMBARDS US. Rather than telling us to be grateful for our blessings, society constantly reminds us how little we have. We’re pressured to want more.
People connect their happiness to acquisition and achievement rather than having gratitude for simple pleasures and everyday blessings.
God understands our DNA, and it’s why 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is written for us. Living a life of gratitude is transforming. It’s the path to happiness. You can’t underestimate the transforming work of being grateful.
I don’t want to grow into an old, thankless grinch, and I suspect you don’t either. Here are five results that come from living a life of gratitude.
It increases your sense of happiness.
It realigns what you’re focusing on. When you’re focusing on the negative, you’ll move toward the negative. Having a positive outcome breathes new life into yourself and others. One way to manage this focus is to keep a gratitude journal like my wife, Denise, does. Writing down what you are thankful for gives you added opportunity to reflect on your many blessings.
It combats your fears. We all have fears and anxieties. It’s a challenge to be fearful and thankful at the same time.
It places God in the rightful place in your life. If you believe that all things work together for your good (Romans 8:28), then possessing a thankful mindset expresses trust and faith in a God who loves you beyond compare.
It gives you purpose. It inspires you to dream and encourages you to reach for those goals.
You might want to begin spending five minutes each day writing in your gratitude journal. Then prepare to be transformed.
Questions
- Write five things you are thankful for today. How does writing down your blessings place God in the rightful place in your life?
- What other benefits has thankfulness brought to you?
- In what ways does ungratefulness harm you or make life more difficult for you?
- Why do you think thankfulness is particularly helpful to those who are 55+?