CHOOSE TO BE THANKFUL

Thanksgiving Day is quickly approaching, so let us express our thankfulness each day during the month of November. Hopefully, this will establish a daily habit that connects with God and expresses to Him our love and gratitude as we pray for our needs and our nation.

Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of California, discovered that there are psychological and physiological benefits from giving thanks. It improves health, reduces depression, lowers stress and blood pressure, and gives more energy and optimism. He also discovered that gratitude significantly lowers levels of cortisol and can slow the aging process. 

God tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:18). “Beloved, I wish above all things that [you] may prosper and be in health, even as [your] soul prospers” (3 john 2). But for the soul (mind, will, emotions) to prosper, we must be thankful. For thankfulness tells the Lord, “I trust You.”

The Bible mentions 73 admonitions to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (Chronicles 16:34). Unfortunately, our carnal nature, if not submitted under the authority and blood of Jesus Christ, will dictate who, what, when, where, and how we show any form of gratitude—if any. 

What is gratitude? It is an appreciation and recognition for what we receive from God or from others. We express that gratitude by saying “thank you.” Unfortunately, many of the younger generation have not been taught to be grateful. This is due to parental over-indulgence, which has created an attitude of entitlement. Sadly, that attitude prevents many young people from understanding how or why they should be thankful. And if they cannot see the importance of being grateful for their blessings and appreciate what others do for them, then how can they possibly have an attitude of gratefulness towards God who is the Creator of all things good? 

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of God’s goodness and the dangers of ingratitude: God led the Israelites to safety from a place of bondage. When the Egyptian army pursued them, God parted the Red Sea, allowing them to pass through to safety. When the Egyptians tried to follow, God drowned them in the waters. He led His nation with a cloud during the day and pillar of fire by night to protect them in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). He provided food in the form of manna and quail and clean drinking water (Exodus 15:25; 16:12-15) He provided the tabernacle itself, which represented the cleansing of the Israelites for their sins through offerings to God (see Exodus chapters 25-40). 

God also gave the Israelites the Law, including the Ten Commandments (Exodus 5:6-21). He used the Law to keep the Israelites morally upright, strong in mind and body and free from disease. Finally, He protected them from their enemies and though He provided for them in all of these things, they continued to be ungrateful and to complain. 

The Lord heard their incessant murmuring and complaining and became so angry that He destroyed the outer edges of their camp with fire (Numbers 11:1). In fact, when God sent quail, they horded it instead of trusting Him for their daily provision. His anger was kindled by their ingratitude, complaining, and lack of trust, so He sent a disease into the camp, and after they had buried the people who had been greedy for meat, they called the place “Graves for the Greedy”(Numbers 11:34).

We are warned, “There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV).

The example of the ungrateful Israelites reveals God’s magnanimous generosity, His provision, care, mercy, patience, and tremendous love. Yet it also reveals the dangers of having an ungrateful and complaining heart. 

Human nature cannot change unless we have been born into the kingdom of God, for we need the power of the resurrected Christ to overcome what our human nature would dictate. That is why Jesus told us to “Keep watching and praying that [we] may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

In our flesh, we have no power to overcome the enemy, his temptations, and his lies, unless we are born again and have the Holy Spirit directing our thoughts and steps. It is the Holy Spirit that empowers us with the ability to believe God’s Word and to do the will of the Father and the works that Jesus did. For Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, [he/she] who believes in Me, the works that I do [he/she] will do also; and greater works than these [he/she] will do because I go to my Father” (John 14:12).

We live in troubling times, yet we can thank God, because He works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will (Ephesians 1:11). Therefore, we can have complete confidence that in everything, no matter how things may appear, God will work all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Humanly, it seems counterintuitive to give thanks in times of difficulty. However, God wants us to focus on Him and His ability to help us navigate through challenges. He knows the beginning, the middle and the end of all things. So, our confidence must be in His abilities and not our own. He is the one who enables us to move forward when we would rather quit. If we ask, He will provide what we need. If we ask and don’t receive, have we failed to bless Him with our gratitude?

There are times when we think that God is not hearing us. When that happens, we might ask if we are praising and thanking Him, even when we do not feel like it. If nothing else, we should praise Him for sending His Son, Jesus Christ who redeems those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

Thank God for each day because each day is a gift. Thank Him for family, even if some members are difficult. Thank Him for His love, mercy, and grace. Thank Him for the blessings of shelter, food, clothing, medical, and the freedoms that are still available. Thank Him that His hand rests upon those who have surrendered to Him.

We must remember that “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning…” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV). So, let us be faithful to give Him thanks each new day. In doing so, we will not only see a change in our attitudes and hearts, but we will discover God’s blessings and peace in the middle of life’s challenges.

PRAYER: FATHER, I thank you for Your steadfast love, forgiveness, and all that You so graciously provide for me. Most of all, I am grateful for the sacrifice that Your Son, Jesus Christ made, so that one day I will have a home in heaven with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.