Being thankful

Being thankful was one of the most consistent life skills that my mom taught me in my life. She not only taught me life lessons, but she lived them out in front of me.

My mom was constantly giving thanks to God for so many of her blessings. For instance, she would thank God for the breeze that made her cool on a hot day. The Bible says, “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God‘s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We should live with an attitude of gratitude at all times. Notice, it did not say thank God for the circumstance, but to give God thanks in the midst of the circumstance. Our God can make all things work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.

We can have a grateful heart because we may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow. The Bible tells us, “Therefore, by Him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”   This means our praise to God can be expressed by thanking Him with our lips.  When someone shows you a kindness, it is proper to return thanks. Saying, “Thank you,” is acknowledging the goodness of God in your life.

A study for the Mayo Clinic states, “Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits.”  Studies have shown feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood, and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain, and risk of disease. Being thankful carries with it great benefits, spiritually and physically.

There’s a story in the gospel of Luke of ten lepers, who cried out to Jesus for healing. In the process, all ten of them received a miraculous healing from their leprosy. Upon noticing this, only one of the ten turned around and gave glory to God. This former leper, who had been healed, came and fell down on his face at the feet of Jesus, giving Him thanks.

Too often in life, we are like the nine lepers who were healed, but did not take the time to give thanks. My parents taught me it is rude not to return thanks for a kindness done to me.

One person said, “A man is truly blessed who quickly forgets what he’s done for others, but never forgets what was done for him.”  All of our lives have been enriched and blessed by the kindness of others. I can live life focused on the negative and grumble and complain all the time, or I can live life focused on the good things of life and live in encouragement.

The Bible says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all, in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”