Saying Thank you is a neglected activity. I taught my children to say “please” and “thank you”, and yet catch myself forgetting to say thank you in my day-to-day life. When last did you hear someone say thank you for something you did for them…or received a thank you note? Even as I write this, I know I am guilty.
I do not thank God often enough.
Practicing Thankfulness:
Is a way to declare God’s goodness to my heart. Not just His goodness to me, but His sovereign goodness in all things. In John 10:32 Jesus speaks of the “many good works of the Father” and in Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
We all need reminding of God’s goodness. Not just we ourselves, but the people around us. We become so focused on what we do not have, that we neglect to see the good we already have in our possession. What has already been done for us and even that which we have already been spared of. God is good and if we take the time, we can recognize His goodness all around us.
God Is Good.
- Practicing thankfulness is also a way for me to train my thinking. It is easy to get into a bad habit of coveting, comparing and complaining, where everything around us is just not good enough. When I am thankful, I am mindful of the source of all my blessings. It is so easy for us to think that it is our own abilities, proficiencies and resources, but it has nothing to do with us actually.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
- Practicing being thankful, resets my heart and mind on the truth that God is sufficient and all I need. God being sufficient means that He is more than generous, with a father-heart focused on me, His child. I am aware of His protection, care, provision, guidance and blessing. It helps my heart and mind declare that He is indeed Sovereign, Faithful and Good. God can be trusted because He is Good.
God Is Good and Works Good.
There are days when I doubt God’s goodness, His ability to be my sovereign God, and His faithfulness to me. On these days, I have to practice thankfulness. It does not come naturally to me to say thank you, therefore it is something that I have to practice. Practicing thankfulness, re-orientates my heart and mind, back towards God. It becomes the starting place of my prayers.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil 4:6)
Some of our exhaustion has its basis in doubt and anxiety about God’s goodness. We doubt that He is Sovereign and we doubt that He is good. As we try and control our lives and plug all the holes, we forget that we live under the umbrella of God’s goodness. It’s not just good manners to say thank you to God, it is also good for us. Just saying thank you, acknowledges God’s goodness.
Lord, let every prayer of my heart start with the words thank you. I have so much to be thankful for, make me ever more mindful to practice this thankfulness in my heart and mind. Help me to remember the source of all goodness in my life, and to trust Your goodness in the future. Help me to recognize that You are good and work good things into my life.
- Why not make a list of ten things you are thankful for right now?
An awesome gold nugget. Thankyou.