“Give thanks in all circumstances…” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
John MacArthur said, “A thankful heart is one of the primary identifying characteristics of a believer. It stands in stark contrast to pride, selfishness, and worry. And it helps fortify the believer’s trust in the Lord and reliance of His provision, even in the toughest times. No matter how choppy the seas become, a believer’s heart is buoyed by constant praise and gratefulness to the Lord.”
If not for the Lord, I have no idea as to what I would have become or where I would be. He was and still is my present help as I traverse this journey of life. He is my keeper, He is my healer. He is the one Who guides and protects me. He is my comforter when I am grieved and do not know what to do or where to turn. He is my provider in all aspects of life. He is the ultimate source of my life, and living would not have been possible for me if He was not walking with me. He not only walks with me, but He also carries me when I am burdened by the weight and the issues of this life.
Friends, He is my all in all, and as such, every day, as I wake up and see the light and my five senses are intact, I worship and praise Him. In the evening, as I retire to bed and reflect on the past hours of the day, I praise Him and give Him thanks. He is worthy of all the glory and honour. He is the One Who understands you and will stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
Today, I want to encourage you to make it a habit to say thanks to God. For without Him, we will be nothing. We do not deserve His love, yet He loves us (John – 3:16). He loves me, and He loves you. His Word says, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 – NIV). And there is nothing that we can do that can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
As I reflect on the goodness of my Creator and how He loves me, my heart is constantly filled with gratitude and praise. As such, thanksgiving is what I do as I go about my business every day, at work or at play. He is the Lord of my life, and without Him, I am nothing.
So, yes, having a ‘thankful heart’ is paramount in the life of a believer. Continue to stand on the promises of God, and you will enjoy a life of peace and joy filled with thanksgiving as you reflect on each passing day.
Read: 1 Chronicles 29:13; Psalm 7:17
Bible Reading Guide: Psalms 129; James 3; Ezekiel 36; Ezekiel 37
