Ephesians 5:20 NIV “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Unusual thankfulness

Be thankful for pain – you were made aware of a medical issue.

Be thankful for trials – You become more dependent on faith in God. You become stronger and more patient. 

Be thankful for what you have. It heals the destructive sin of greed and jealousy.

Be thankful in troubled times; God is about to show up. Your hope and trust in God became stronger.

Help with Thankfulness

Thankfulness is not natural to humanity. Our nature is to be envious, to want more. Man’s nature is more inward rather than outward. However, with the Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives, a new nature is available. A new view of life will bring peace and joy to our homes, marriages, work, and even the ability to walk through tragic, difficult times and not grow bitter. The powerful influence that can dramatically impact your daily experience is the power of thankfulness. Put on thankfulness. Choose thankfulness. It is the Holy Spirit that helps us improve our daily attitude step by step, slowly moving you closer and closer to a genuinely joyful, thankful person.

A Thankful Treadmill

Ask God to “make” you more thankful, and He will provide a “spiritual thankful treadmill” for you to begin exercising with the Holy Spirit as a coach right beside you. The way you grow in godliness is not from an “instant miracle ” from God, but rather you become a participant of the process through daily repentance, listening as the Holy Spirit coaches you into looking at the world and its problems in a new light. As you continue using the thanksgiving treadmill, you begin to be more thankful for all the things you missed before. The Holy Spirit is transforming your spirit into being joyful and thankful in all things.

Start this week, even today, to be thankful for things you would typically make you frustrated or upset. Tell someone each day you are thankful for them, even the difficult ones. They are helping you mature in your walk with God.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 NIV Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. [19]

Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“ahem,”…thank you for reading this blog!

Now, let your lightnside shine bright, fueled with thankfulness.