Living 4 Him

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

One of the first two word phrases babies learn when they first talk is “thank you.”  I checked my own baby book and according to my mom’s detailed account, I managed a “ta-tu” when I was 13 months old.  We say the words at an early age, but it takes a lifetime to truly appreciate what they mean. 

The scripture above outlines two highly important reasons to give thanks: God is good and his love lasts forever.  I heard a definition for praise that we cannot deny; Praise is giving credit where credit is due.  When we pause and turn our minds praiseward, we give credit to the God of the universe who is in charge of literally everything under the sun, including the sun and beyond.

Jesus modeled giving thanks two different times before eating a meal.  He gave thanks before serving the loaves and fishes to the five-thousand (Matthew 15:26, Mark 8:6, John 6:11) and before feeding the disciples the Last Supper. (Matthew 26:26, Luke 22: 17,19)  He also give thanks spontaneously in Luke 10 when he recognized child-like hearts being filled with God’s holy truth.  These situations demonstrate Christ living close to God and recognizing the need to thank God for his work in the world. 

The following excerpt is from my book Spiritually Fit: God’s Workout for You. Spiritually Fit: God’s Workout for You

Luke records the story of ten lepers in his account of the gospel.  Jesus heals ten lepers, and they dash off and celebrate their new-found health.  But one man returns and says “thank you” to Jesus.  Reflecting on this story, several lessons appear:

Don’t get too busy to remember God and say thank you.

Be the person who will always thank someone else.

Always return to Jesus to give him thanks.

Jesus didn’t need the men to return and thank him.  His miracles would continue without their gratitude because healing others was his automatic response and nothing would change that.  Saying “thank you” did far more for the leper than it did for Jesus.  It humbled the man, and he acknowledged the privilege of partnering with a power far greater than himself.

God relishes our thank-yous, but he doesn’t need them in order to keep providing blessings for us.  He knows that we function as happier, more joyous people if we choose to thank him.

Since giving thanks focuses our eyes on the positive side of any situation, I have developed gratitude as a strategy to deal with hard situations, stressful circumstances, even death. 

Stress rises in me when I have to drive in heavy, blinding snow.  Several years ago, I was driving my husband’s truck at night in a snowstorm which brought thick snowflakes covering everything at a rapid pace, rudely blocking my vision as I drove down the highway.  I gripped the wheel, feeling shakier and more uncertain as I ventured further.   Then, in a spontaneous outpouring (prompted by the Holy Spirit, I’m sure!) I began to give thanks:  Thank you for the headlights that are helping me see.  Thank you for the powerful, 4-wheel drive tires that are moving me along.  Thank you for the truck protecting me from the snow.  Thank you for being with me, dear God. Thank you that I am not alone.  My racing heart paused in a pool of peace, and I drove calmly the rest of the way on my journey. 

Thankfulness produces a turning in the spirit like a magnet turning to the source of its attraction.  Build up for yourselves a thankful heart.  It is a foundation that will never slip, but will only serve to make you stronger.    

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  Psalm 118 was most likely written by David celebrating God and the way he helped him to reach the throne as King and crediting God with many wonderful works in his life. Read Psalm 118 and notice the many ways that the author shows gratitude to God. 

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  If you would like to make gratitude a more permanent part of your life, click on the link below and celebrate Thirty Days of Thankfulness.  Each day lists a focus scripture and a prompt for giving thanks.  Print extras to hand out to friends who might like it! Thirty Days of Thankfulness