A Mindset of Thankfulness
To say this year has shaken our world, tested our morals, and perhaps caused some of us to question where we are headed is an understatement. There is so much noise in the world — how can we hear the seemingly quiet voice of God? How can we stop the negativity from bogging down our thoughts? Let’s begin with a mindset of thankfulness and gratitude for the gifts from above.
Recognizing God’s hand in your life is essential.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” James 1:17a ESV
Do you believe this verse? This means that every good thing that happens to you is a personalized gift from God. When you get that green light, it’s God. When you have money in your bank account to purchase and enjoy your favorite coffee, you have been blessed by your Father. When your friend says something encouraging to you, they are being used as a conduit of God’s goodness towards you.
Think of all the good that you have been blessed with today. See how many blessings you can count at this very moment. Go ahead and try it! Then, take time to thank God for giving you those gifts. Praise Him for bestowing favor upon you and those you love!
Thankfulness is a Blessing.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV
When the noise gets too loud, and you’re feeling alone and discouraged, count your blessings. This truth, His truth, changed my life.
I share my thoughts with God throughout my day. I thank Him for His favor. I speak to Him about my decisions. I seek His direction. And I praise Him for blessing my loved ones and me each and every day. Try it, say out loud, “Wow, God, thank you for blessing me with this day. Thank you, God, for blessing me with _________ (fill in the blank).”
As I thank God in the moment, I notice Him showing up in my life more and more…He is everywhere! He loves me so well, even in the tiny details! And likewise, He loves YOU through it all! Every blessing is handcrafted just for you. And when you are trusting in God, the negative noise just doesn’t matter as much anymore. It is no longer a distraction because you are focusing on God and not the cynicism of an unsaved world.
Thankfulness is God’s will for you.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Notice how the words rejoice, pray, and thanks are used in unison. A thankful heart rejoices to God through prayer for its blessings. This is God’s will for us—to see his love and, in return, love him!
We can do this in all circumstances. In every walk of life, God is with us. If all is stripped away, we still have praise to give God. He saved us, loves us, lives inside us, and is coming to make all things right! We can rightly proclaim, “These days are so incredibly hard. My heart is heavy. My eyes are filled with tears. But praise God, He is in control. Thank you, God, that you are in control. Thank you that you are good, and work everything together for my good.”
Thankfulness alleviates angst.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 ESV
These days, it is easy to have anxiety about everything! So many unknowns, so much turmoil. Paul reminds us, in every situation, we combat anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving. You know what thankfulness does? It tells our fear that God is with us! It reminds our hearts that God is for us, not against us. When we thank the Lord, we bring a higher reality to our situation—the truth that God is our father and provider!
Thankfulness is a form of confessional trust.
“Come, offer thanks to the Eternal; invoke His holy name. Tell other people about the things He has done. Sing songs of praise to Him; tell stories of all His miracles. Revel in His holy name. May the hearts of the people who seek the Eternal celebrate and experience great joy.” Psalm 105:1-3 VOICE
It’s a way of saying, “God, you’ve done it before, you’ll do it again!” (Elevation Worship) Rest in knowing that your Father is at work for your good. This fact will keep your head up in the middle of life’s battles. He is with you! He is blessing you! He is for you!
“Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet
Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For you have never failed me yet
Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in Your hands
This is my confidence, you’ve never failed me yet”
Do It Again, Elevation Worship
I’m cheering you on! And, if you are in need of a prayer warrior or spiritual guide, please reach out. I am always happy to connect with women seeking spiritual growth and support. I want nothing more than for YOU to step away feeling confident, connected, supported, and inspired–inspired to reflect on the light He’s placed inside you, and equipped to let it shine!
Keep on shining!
