The benefit of being thankful goes way beyond being just polite (though that is a good thing). Gratitude is the key to happiness itself.
Every happy person is a grateful person. Ungrateful people cannot be happy.
We tend to think that it’s being unhappy that leads people to complain, but it’s actually complaining that leads to unhappiness.
WHAT THE WORD SAYS
Psalm 107:8-9 (NKJV) Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT) How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!
2 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV) Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
Psalm 136:26 (NLT) Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.
THE SUMMATION:
Those Scriptures give us just a few reasons to thank God!
– He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul.
– He gives us victory over sin and death (through Christ).
– He leads us in triumph (in Christ).
– His faithful love endures forever.
Take a moment to soak that in.
We have access to the faithful, enduring love of the God of heaven and earth and He has given us victory over death through Jesus Christ.
Learning to be thankful, whether to God or other people, is the best hedge against taking life for granted.
The less we take for granted, the more enjoyment we get out of life.
LIVING A LIFE OF GRATITUDE
Gratitude is a product of humility.
A brief explanation:
The Hebrew word for gratitude is, “hoda’ah” which is the same as the word used for confession.
Being thankful is actually to confess dependence, or to acknowledge that someone else has the power to benefit you, to admit that your life is better because of their efforts. So let’s be thankful and not take things for granted.
SHOWING OUR GRATITUDE
The Bible says in Psalm 100:4-5 that we are to approach God with thanksgiving and praise, In Psalm 107:22, we read where we are to offer him thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Remember, God inhabits the praises of His people (See Psalm 22:3), not the complaints. The quickest way to see change in your life and the quickest way to open up communication is to give thanks!
THE TAKE-AWAY
Being polite is important, but let’s make sure it goes down deeper into a heart attitude. Let’s be grateful; let’s be thankful.
ACTION STEP
Take time to write down three things you’re grateful for and whether it’s to God, to your spouse or to a friend – tell someone thank you for those things.
Let’s start living a life of gratitude!
Learn how to Raise Happy Kids
