In 1789 George Washington established the first Thanksgiving day and recommended “. . .to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God. . .”
Our nation's first president recognized the incredible importance of thankfulness just as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Doug Fields (kind of a Youth Pastor’s Pastor) gives eight points about thankfulness in his blog that I will expound upon here:
1. THANKFULNESS RE-FOCUSES MY PERSPECTIVE
No one whines their way into a better attitude. When we focus on what Christ has done for us through His sacrifice, when we focus on the great people that God has brought into our lives, and when we recognize that we were put on this earth to bless others, our perspective changes. God is in the mind renewing business and thankfulness is a critical first step.
2. THANKFULNESS INCREASES MY HUMILITY
James 1:17 says “every good and perfect gift comes from above.” When we truly realize that we do not deserve blessings. When we recognize that even our ability to earn anything comes from God, our tendency to prideful thinking shrinks. God’s Word is very clear that it is pride that keeps us far from God.
3. THANKFULNESS BUILDS MY FAITH
When we recognize God’s faithfulness in our past, we are better able to walk into our future knowing that God will continue to be faithful. We will believe it when we read that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on the completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
4. THANKFULNESS CHANGES DISPAIR INTO JOY
The world can be a painful and ugly place, and thankfulness does not deny that. Thankfulness gives us true joy that lasts even in the debilitating times because we know that it is only in trials that we receive perseverance, maturity, and a strong faith. James 1:2-4
5. THANKFULNESS RE-ORDERS MY PRIORITIES
It does not take a holiday season to make us amazingly busy. I talk to people often who have priorities all out of kilter and who are burning the candle at both ends just to keep up with life. Being grateful people helps us to say no to things (even good things) because we are thankful for the great opportunities God has given us.
6. THANKFULNESS CHALLENGES OUR WANTS
I find that the closer I grow to Christ, the more that the things I think I need are actually just “wants.” When I am thankful for what God has given me, I tend to use those things better and to get more use out of them. I waste less and want less because of the gratitude I have for the simple things of family, friendship, time, and energy.
7. THANKFULNESS BREAKS THE SHACKLE OF ENVY
The last of the 10 commandments is to not envy what others have. Envy destroys our relationships and keeps us from being truly excited for the blessings God has given other. When envy takes root in our lives it grows to jealousy and bitterness and destroys us from the inside out. Thankfulness to God is the cure to this horrible disease.
8. THANKFULNESS ENHANCES OUR COMPASSION
God has given you and me “everything we need for life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3). When we recognize how blessed we are, both materially and spiritually, we must respond by living a life defined by generosity and service.
No comments:
Post a Comment