Living 4 Him

It isn’t happy people who are thankful.  It is thankful people who are happy. Unknown

Our minds get trapped in the responsibilities of living.  We need groceries from the grocery store.  A deadline looms for a complicated project.  Appointments and activities crowd the week. We don’t have enough time to relax!  What if our minds turned to how thankful we were for grocery stores where we can buy food and for money to purchase what we need?  What if we were thankful for skills to complete the project and for God’s help to meet the deadline?  What if we were thankful for our busy lives so we don’t get bored or lonely? 

Gratitude shapes positive thoughts, leading to a healthy, robust spirit. 

In Luke, Jesus encounters ten men with an infectious skin disease known as leprosy.  They call out to him for healing and Jesus tells them to go show themselves to the priest.  As the men walk, they are cleansed.  One of the ten, overjoyed at his healing, turns back and finds Jesus. He falls at his feet, lavishly praising and thanking him. Jesus questions why the other nine have not returned to give thanks.  He commends the faith of this Samaritan, then sends him off, not only healed of his skin condition, but also moved to inner wholeness by the gratitude expressed for his healing. (Luke 17: 11-19)

Jesus knew the benefits of gratitude. How he must have grieved knowing that only one man had achieved a higher level of living by recognizing and acknowledging the goodness unfolding in his life. 

Here are some thoughts on a thankful spirit from my book Spiritually Fit:https://www.amazon.com/Spiritually-Fit-Gods-Workout-You/dp/1449721524

Thankfulness produces a turning in the spirit like a magnet turning to the source of its attraction. . . We open to peace, love, joy, hope; an illumination erasing shadows.  A thankful heart moves us forward and constructs a confident foundation, critical to further spiritual development.  We need thankfulness in our lives.

Gratitude has entered my life at times to guide me to a sound spirit, to comfort a hurting soul, leading me to God’s righteousness within.

In my later years of teaching, I was forced to attend a 3-hour presentation in my school district presented by viewpoints that did not align with mine.  I had joined fellow teachers in a chorus of complaints all week long, and now, sitting in the full auditorium, I did not want to partake of the negative thoughts anymore.

As the presentation began I started giving thanks in my mind for all that I valued in my teaching career.

My school

My principal

Caring parents

Countless children learning to read

Talents and skills I possessed that allowed me to help others

Over and over I repeated thanks to God and into my own spirit flowed a gentle goodness, a satisfaction that God had always provided what I needed and he always would.

Another time I needed gratitude to guide my soul was after the very sudden passing of my dear sister-in-law at age 50.  My mind searched to make sense of it all.  In the midst of questions, prayers, tears and uncertainty came a very clear desire to remember everything beautiful about her.  I made a list in my notebook, giving thanks for each one.

Her laugh

Her delicious food

Her four beautiful children

Her deep care and concern for others

Our family gatherings

Our time spent together, shopping, scrapbooking or just visiting

The shadows of death began to fade with gratitude for her life.

Max Lucado says, “Gratitude is a mindful awareness of the benefits of life.  It is the greatest of virtues.”

Where are you lost or frustrated or hurt or lonely?  How can gratitude help heal you today?

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul): Explore the Psalms of Thanksgiving in this post. https://raisingeverydaydisciples.com/psalms-of-thanksgiving-to-god/

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world): Give thanks in the midst of all that you do this week and feel the difference it makes!