Give Thanks!
Give thanks! Why? First and foremost, the words from our precious Lord are clear that giving thanks is critical to our active faith. Second, gratefulness changes our perspective, the lenses of how we view the world. Third, it lifts our spirits, transforming us from the inside out. These are all closely related but slightly different.
All through Scripture, the admonition to give thanks is prevalent. Praise is closely related to giving thanks. We are recognizing and identifying what our spirit is thankful for and lifting up and acknowledging what our Redeemer is doing and Who He is! Whether it is in the Psalms where David mixes his despair with praise, the Lord’s Prayer modeled by our Messiah, or Paul’s letters to the multiple churches, the theme is consistent in the practice of gratefulness and praise. Our Creator knew that there was something quite powerful in this simple act of faith.
Don’t misunderstand! This action rarely changes your circumstances, but it does transform your perspective, displaying insight you could not view without the act of giving thanks. When you walk into a dark house all looks eerie and threatening. However, as you begin to light up the house with a flip of the switch, the rooms are illuminated; casting a proper perspective upon what was moments before quite frightening. Nothing truly changed except perspective. The light provided a lens for us to view life more clearly. This is the perspective that a grateful heart experiences once acted upon!
Our mindset is transformed which in return lifts our moods. We can be experiencing a period of depression or despair, but thanksgiving enters the situation. Our mindset shifts quite remarkably, thereby, altering our mood. When practicing the art of being grateful, one cannot settle in the land of dismay and remain. The cloud of despair is lifted as our soul sings and rises with giving thanks and praise to our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer!
Once again, God Almighty designed a principle to live by that once adhered to provides the sustenance to hold steady and stay the course! Embrace this life-altering principle; add to your daily practice and watch faith grow, perspective shift, and joy return!