One More look at Thankfulness!

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

“The life of a follower of Jesus must be characterized by a thankful and grateful heart — Selah.”

Reflection:

Thankfulness is as a pleasant fragrance that flows from a life that has been redeemed by our Savior. The sacrifice of Jesus, which canceled our sins on the cross, was such an immense and costly gift that is freely given to all who would receive it, that n comparison, nothing we walk through in this life, whether good nor bad, can ever out-stage nor diminish this gift of salvation that we have so freely received.
Therefore, how can we but not give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for each one of us!
Let’s just consider for a moment what thankfulness and gratitude does in us:

• Thankfulness takes the sting out of all adversity
• When you give thanks, God returns to you perspective and peace
• Thankfulness opens our hearts to see God’s generosity toward us
• Thankfulness opens our minds to understand what is really important in life
• Thankfulness opens our spirits to appreciate the power of God at work around us
• Hard and difficult circumstance are always minimized when we give thanks to God
• Being thankful makes us feel better!
• Studies have found that being thankful boosts our health by making us less depressed, and it lowers our blood pressure and gives us more energy.
• Thankfulness slows down the aging clock in older adults. Again, studies have found that a daily practice of gratitude reduces some of the effects of neuron-degeneration
• Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” is reduced when we give thanks. When our bodies produce too much, it depletes our immune system and raise blood sugar levels
• If may feel like we are remaining in the same place…yet we receive the light of revelation which is switched on through thankfulness
  Thankfulness aid in all of our relationships, whether it’s your spouse, with your children, at work and may I say, especially at church!

The long term effects of thankfulness produce blessings in all shapes and sizes that in time, will produce in us only more gratitude and thankfulness. It’s a Godly pattern that I believe He intends for us to repeat day in and day out until one day, we step into eternity…when our gratitude and thankfulness and praise will be…never ending.

Let us be Thankful together!

David

P.S. Giving Tuesday is coming up! I’ll be sending out an update Monday evening for ways to participate in a Thankful Generosity!