Benefits Of A Thankful Heart!

 

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Todd Stucker, a writer, speaker, and pastor in Hudson, WI, said, “Thankfulness creates gratitude which generates contentment that causes peace.”

Unthankful are generally miserable inside and out because they are discontent and do not enjoy peace.

Thankful people are content with what they have and enjoy peace in their lives.

Our today’s Bible insight says, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Another translation is “give thanks in all things.” Did you notice our verse does not say give thanks for everything or all things? Frankly, we may not be able to give thanks for all things that happen to us. Certain tragedies- in general terms, we may not be able to give thanks for them at least immediately without the passing of time.

However, listen, in everything, in all circumstances, in the midst of it, and through it, we can give thanks. This is the will of God concerning us. God’s will is amid trials and suffering; give thanks to Him. 

The reason is we know who God is. We know God is in control of our life. We can say, my Lord, I trust you because you are the sovereign living God. Even though hell type of things breaks around me, I know God knows all about it. He is the perfect and flawless pilot of my life, and He will guard me through it all. Hence, I can thank Him through it.

The book of Psalms teaches us how to be thankful in the midst of sad circumstances. David, the King of Israel, explained this in his Psalms. He cries and laments over things that happened to him. Then he breaks out into giving thanks and praises to the Lord God in heaven and put his hope in Him. David knew who God is. Therefore, although he did not like or appreciate the sad things that happened to him, he could still give thanks and praise to God in those painful times.

Our insight today says, In everything, give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. If this is the will of God, why don’t we obey it and start doing it? When we are thankful and praise God in the midst of sufferings and trials, do you think God can remain silent? Heaven’s gate would supernaturally open up for you, and you would see the hand of the Lord and His deliverances. He will be with you. He will give you the needed strength and grace. He would be closer to you than at any other time of your lives. 

Next time, why don’t you try to continuously give thanks and praise amid your trials and watch what God would for you. He takes note of you like He took note of Paul and Silas in prison and sang praises to God. (Acts 16:25-34). He will send deliverance from heaven as He did to Paul, Silas, and Peter in prison. He took note of the one leper who came to Jesus to give thanks. Jesus asked, where are the nine? Luke 17:11-19.

Beloved, a thankful person cannot and would not be miserable. He would be content in all circumstances and enjoy the peace of God in his heart no matter what life throws at him. His anchor is not on this world or people. His anchor is securely and firmly placed in heaven where His Savior Jesus Christ lives and advocates for him. Nothing makes him too worried or perplexed because his intercessor is in heaven pleading his case on an ongoing basis by the merit of His shed blood on the cross.

A thankful and praising heart was the secret of Apostle Paul’s life. He gave thanks to God in prison and all his struggles, sufferings, and persecutions. A perfect example for us to follow.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I thank you for all blessings you gave to me. Every day you load on me with benefits. The food, water, air, health, children, job, family, relationship, and the list goes on. More than all, I thank you for giving your one and only Son, Jesus Christ to pay for my sins. I believe Jesus died for my sins, buried and rose again. I thank you for forgiving my sins and granting me eternal life. I am indebted to you for all. The source of all good gifts and blessings, I praise you and thank you. I worship you. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”