Living with a Thankful Heart
We need to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Giving thanks is something that we are commanded repeatedly in Scripture to do. Obviously, it is important to God for His children to be grateful.
Space won’t permit me to list all the references here, but consider this small sampling of verses:
• “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
(Colossians 3:17)
• “Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ …”
(Ephesians 5:20)
• “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name….”
(1 Chronicles 16:8)
• “Enter His gates with thanksgiving…. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.”
(Psalm 100:4)
We owe a debt of gratitude to God, but this attitude should also spill over into our relationships with others, as well. Our lives and our conversations should be marked by expressions of thankfulness toward our fellow man.
And that goes double for the members of our own household.
Don’t take your husband for granted. Express genuine appreciation for everything he does for you, whether great or small.
Always say thank you. But don’t stop there. Real gratitude runs much deeper than words. It extends far beyond anything we can verbalize.
Our thankfulness should affect not only how we think, but also how we live and how we treat the people around us.
This post is excerpted from my book, 25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband, winner of the CSPA 2014 “Book of the Year” Award. (affiliate link)
Mum.this teaching is very wonderful it is the will of God to apreciate his blessing he gives to us.to love God is to apreciate what he has given us by thanksgiving.may God bless you abountandly.ivon
On Thursday, November 27, 2014, Loving Life at Home wrote: > Jennifer Flanders posted: “We need to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Giving thanks is something that we are commanded repeatedly in Scripture to do. Obviously, it is important to God for His children to be grateful. Space won’t permit me to list all the references here, but” >
What a timely post. Thanks for the reminder. I have found myself doing nothing but complaining and wallowing in a depressed spirit lately. As I have taken time off work to be with my mom (who lives with us) who is in her last stages of cancer, dealing with my husbands recent layoff and being exhausted beyond belief with no help from siblings with the care of my mom I have found very little time to be thankful.
But, I have so much to be thankful for…
Friends who have come together and started a meal train and will prepare meals for my family the ENTIRE month of December (Thanks you Jesus!)
My super hero brother who is taking care of my ailing father in another state (Thank you Lord!)
My job who understands my situation and assures me weekly that my mom is my priority and that I should not worry about the workload as it will be handled (Thank you Father)
My husband who rubs my back, holds my hand, wipes my tears and doesn’t fuss when my mascara stains his shirt (Thank you Savior)
My church family who loves me and it shows in their gestures, words, acts, and deeds (Thank you God)
I could go on and on but I will not because as I sit here I am thankful for so many things and I make a vow right here and now to no longer allow the devil to make me focus on the negative so that I become blinded by the positives.
Sorry about taking up so much space, but I needed this so bad at this very moment. God Bless you, you have certainly blessed me today!
Hi Mrs Flanders, I was wondering whether your books were translated into French? Wishing you a wonderful thanksgiving with your family, best regards Sylvie
Thank you, Sylvie. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and will have a happy New Year, too. I’m sorry to say that none of my books are currently available in French. Do you know a good translator? 🙂