Expressing Thankfulness
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
Helen Steiner Rice wrote a poem titled “A Thankful Heart”. The poem went like this: “Take nothing for granted, for whenever you do...The joy of enjoying is lessened for you. For we rob our own lives much more than we know...When we fail to respond or in any way show...Our thanks for the blessings that daily are ours...The warmth of the sun, the fragrances of flowers...The beauty of twilight, the freshness of dawn...The coolness of dew on a green velvet lawn...The kind little deeds so thoughtfully done...The favors of friends and the love that someone...Unselfishly gives us in a myriad of ways...Expecting no payment and no words of praise...For the joy of enjoying...and the fullness of living...Are found in the heart that is filled with thanksgiving.”
When God's people cultivate a thankful heart they bring honor and praise to Almighty God. However, oftentimes this is a difficult duty, and being thankful is the last thing you want to do. Especially when you are facing various challenges that are painful, and your inner joy has diminished.
God does not desire for His people to constantly linger upon their sorrows and all kinds of trials. His desire is for His people to be grateful for their blessings.
Millie Stamm wrote about a legend regarding two angels named “Angel Requests and Angel Thanks.” The legend went like this: Each morning the two angels from heaven “go on errands all day. At the close of the day Angel Requests has his basket full, but Angel Thanks only has a few in his basket.”
How can God's people become more aware to express their thankfulness when they are facing a severe trial? How do they develop a thankful heart to obtain an attitude of gratitude, and have their inner joy restored? Focus on the Lord, and ask Him to help you. The Almighty God will bring your blessings to mind. For example, you can thank Him for His goodness, mercy, and grace. Also, thank Him that He is always with you; for sending His Son, Jesus; for His faithfulness; and for His love. Helen Steiner Rice, in the above poem, stated many examples to be thankful for.
Millie stamm stated: “As we thank Him for all the happenings in our life, the unpleasant ones as well as the pleasant, He can turn them into blessings.”. As you begin to thank your Almighty God for the many blessings in your life, He will be able to lift you above your trials and severe circumstances.
Why not help to fill up the basket of “Angel Thanks” today, and take the time to be thankful for your blessings?
Heavenly Father, I thank you for my life and everything you have bestowed upon me and upon all people, this day and every day. I thank you for the good and bad, the understanding of forgiveness, and your holy power, without which we would have nothing. I thank you this day for all your blessings, your gifts, your never ending love for us. Although we all are sinners, I ask you to forgive me every day for what I might have done wrong, that I might not have noticed. Even though we all come short of the glory of God, I thank you for the sacrifice of your only son Jesus Christ for all our sins. You and only you know us Father and you know if our hearts are true. So once again, I thank you with all my heart and soul. In the name of Christ I pray, Amen.In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
When God's people cultivate a thankful heart they bring honor and praise to Almighty God.
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