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WHY BE GRATEFUL?

Posted by Dr. Bill Blanchard on

In I Thessalonians 5:18 we read, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Many people want to know God’s will for their lives, and by this they typically mean what they should do in a particular area of their lives. Like: Where should I go to school, which job should I accept, whom should I marry, what career should I enter, and what church should I join? But, actually, these are all secondary when it comes to God’s will for our lives. Because first and foremost, His will is that we learn to give thanks!

You might be asking, Why? Why is it always God’s will for us to be grateful no matter what happens in our lives? Before I answer that question, please note that I Thess. 5:18 says that we are to be grateful IN all circumstances, not FOR all circumstances. Understanding the difference in those little prepositions is very important in this case!

Ok, why are we to be grateful?

First, gratitude honors God, and we need to learn to thank God not just for what He does but also for who He is. May I challenge you to begin each day with a grateful heart toward God? If you start each day with gratitude, you will be healthier, happier, and closer to God.

Second, gratitude always builds deeper relationships between you and others. Whomever you want to get closer to, start spending more time expressing gratitude to them and it will bring you closer together.

Third, gratitude will develop your faith. Can you thank God during painful, horrible circumstances? That’s a major test of whether you are a shallow or a mature Christian. If you are going through a tough time right now, don’t focus on what’s lost but what’s left!

Fourth, gratitude serves others. You and I have an unqualified need to be affirmed, loved, and appreciated. And so does everybody else. So show gratitude to others!

Finally, gratitude is a wonderful witness to unbelievers. One of the best ways to share your faith with other people is to start with gratitude, because most people are ungrateful today. In a crooked and depraved generation that is cynical and sarcastic and critical, thankful, encouraging people stand out.

Especially during this Thanksgiving Season, may I remind you that mature Christians should be known by their radical gratitude?

Devotedly your pastor,

Bill Blanchard

 

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