A Thankful Heart

(1st Thes 5:16-18 NIV) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.


This morning we take a pause, from the book of Proverbs, so that can slow down long enough to say, "Thank You" to God. Tomorrow is the day that is formally known as "Thanksgiving" in the United States. I will send out my 'Thanksgiving Message' today and I won't send out a message tomorrow. Tomorrow will be all about turkey, stuffing, pie, football, friends, and most of all... THANKS!

Many of us are so busy, our schedules are so packed, our email inboxes are so full, and our to-do lists are so long that we constantly feel like we have more task than time. The overwhelming pace of our society has caused many of us to run through days, weeks, months, and even years without slowing down long enough to realize how blessed we truly are. I was suppose to be going home to Maui to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my family, I was really looking forward to it however I have developed some medical challenges that has now allowed me to travel. It has been 14 years since I have spent Thanksgiving with my biological family.

However, I am still looking forward to tomorrow when our home will be full of food, my husband’s family, friends, and fellowship. And while I will enjoy the food - believe me, I am looking forward to it - I know that Thanksgiving, for the believers, should be bigger food. Thanksgiving is an attitude. Thanksgiving is a lifestyle. When you have a thankful heart every day becomes a day of Thanksgiving!

Let me give you a few quick from my own life. I will just use the last couple of weeks. A few weeks ago I was rear-ended and then I proceeded to thank God! Was I happy that it happened? Of course not. It was obvious that the person that hit me was not paying attention. Nor did he hade insurance but I was still thankful. I immediately thanked God for blessing us to have insurance with rental coverage so that I could continue to have transportation. A few months ago my daughter went through a very serious surgery and as a result she today is cancer free and recovering nicely. God really did a major work in her and I am very thankful that he spared her life. I could go on and on. What am I really saying? I am saying that the Father expects us to have a thankful heart. When we have a thankful heart it is hard for discouragement to get in, because thanksgiving is always flowing out!

In Paul's first letter to the church in Thessalonica he taught about living a life that is pleasing to God. In his closing remarks he said, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." What was Paul saying? What was He teaching us? I believe Paul was telling us that the secret to living a life that is pleasing to God is to maintain your joy, to keep an active prayer life, and to GIVE THANKS to God IN all circumstances. Notice that he said "IN" all circumstances and not "FOR" all circumstances. If we are honest we must acknowledge the fact that everything that happens to us is NOT good and we DON'T always like everything we face. But Paul's point is that we should trust God enough to believe that at the-end-of-the-day we will still come out on top. I may not always be able to Thank Him FOR IT, but I can still thank Him IN IT. This attitude of gratitude is what gives me a thankful heart and I pray you develop the same!

So what does this mean to you? It means that as you walk with God you will not always get what you expect and you may not always get what you want, but you should have enough confidence in Him to know that when it is all said and done you will not be disappointed. This reality, this confidence, this inner knowing, is what enables you to live a lifestyle of Thanksgiving! Look back and be thankful. Look forward and be excited. You serve a God that has blessed you, is blessing you, and will bless you. You have lots to be thankful for!

Father, I may not always like my circumstances. I may not even be able to thank You FOR them, but I declare that I will thank You IN them. I know that when it is all said and done, the situations I face will work out for my good, so instead of waiting until I see it to say it, I praise You now! I am excited NOW! I am expectant NOW! I am THANKFUL NOW! I look back and I am grateful. I look forward and I am excited. I live everyday as a day of Thanksgiving! From this day forward I have a THANKFUL HEART! In Jesus' name, amen!