As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve been reflecting on what scripture has to say about living a life of thankfulness, not just for a holiday, but as a lifestyle. It made me want to be more thankful!
How about you? Would you consider yourself a thankful person? Or are you a habitual grumbler? What kind of person do you want to be? Join me over the next three weeks as we look at how to change Thanksgiving into THANKSLIVING! This week we will look at why it matters that we as believers live with gratitude.
Our thankfulness matters to others. Thankful people are refreshing souls who bring encouragement to our day. Unthankful people are negative, miserable people who poison our outlook. What kind of impact do you want to have on those around you?
Our thankfulness changes us. When we begin to practice gratefulness, it trains our hearts. There is something transformational about praising God when we don’t feel like it. Psalm 34:1 says “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” The result of that praise is in verse 4. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” When we seek Him with a grateful heart, we find Him.
Our thankfulness matters to God. I Chronicles 23:30 describes one of the duties given to the Levites. “They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening.” Do you think God just instructed them to perform this ritual to keep them busy? God knows what is best for us. He knew that their praise would make them love God more.
Our thankfulness glorifies God. Psalm 69:30 states, “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” This fulfills our purpose, for Isaiah 43:7 states that we were made for God’s glory.
Next post we will finish up talking about why it matters that we are thankful, then how we can do that when it is hard!
Happy ThanksLiving!
3 COMMENTS
Shirley Picou
4 years agoYou are so right Bobbie. It can be so easy to focus on what we are lacking instead of seeing the blessings God has bestowed upon us. I love the idea of living in Thanks!
Linda R Johnson
4 years agoBobbie: I really appreciate your approach to ThanksLiving — what an awesome way to turn our thoughts to God in true worship and adoration for what He has given us. I believe that God will use your words to reach many in your unique way. (((HUGS)))
Bobbie Perkins
4 years ago AUTHORThank you for your encouragement, Linda! I’m sure I could learn a lot about blogging from you!