Thankfulness

Thankfulness is an awareness, or the recognition of benefits received. It is more than just saying thanks. Thankfulness is an ongoing acknowledgment of the benefits we receive in life, despite how they come to us; through peace, turmoil, tears, and even pain. We are regularly thankful for things like family, good health, our homes, jobs, and the like. Not to make light of these blessings,

Thankfulness, on the other hand, surpasses these and goes deeper into places we sometimes don’t like to or want to go. Have you ever taken the time to look back at difficult challenges in your life that may have significantly changed your life, or maybe even broken you? Looked back at challenges that you thought you would not come back from, that you prefer not even to remember?

We tend to shy away from the feeling that may flood back from our tough experiences. But, then you look at where you are today, who you have become, and that you did make it through!! This is where thankfulness resides. It is acknowledging the favor God provided to you in the midst of the challenges. It is acknowledging God’s benefits toward us. It is recognizing that it was God who brought you through and remains faithful to you. Thankfulness is like a deep breath that encompasses all that you want to say, but don’t have the words.

In this season of Thanksgiving, let us walk in Thankfulness. Thankfulness for the challenges we overcame, the tough times we made it through, and the benefits we received out of every one of those challenges. Walk in how they have shaped us and made us who we are today.

Pay attention to your thankfulness meter.

1. It keeps you in the right relationship with your Benefactor, the One who brought you through.

2. It keeps you from becoming bitter because thankfulness and bitterness can’t share the same space in your life.

3. It keeps you aware of where your strength comes from.

4. Remember, in all things, give thanks, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (1Thes 5:18)