“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” – Rom 1:21 (KJV).
We have so many reasons to be thankful to God in life. The very life we live is a gift from God that can only be preserved by God. There are things we choose for ourselves but there are many that we have no control over. For all these we should be thankful. For the parents he gave to us and for the children he gave to us we should be thankful. For the air we breathe and for the life we have, for putting food on our table and for giving us shelter and clothing we should be thankful.
We may not have everything we desire, things may not presently be working out the way we planned but in all circumstance we should learn to give thanks. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”- Ephesians 5:20 (KJV). As believers, we should imbibe a thankful heart. We should learn to appreciate our spouses, our parents, our friends and relations. We should learn to appreciate God for his love and mercy towards us. We are quick to complain and murmur for things that we lack but we seldom give thanks for the little things that people or God give to us or do for us. Thankfulness is a habit that every believer needs to develop. It cost little to say thanks but it is so costly to be unthankful. Even in negative and ugly situations, the scripture admonished as to give thanks. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” 1 Thess. 5:18 (KJV). We may not give thanks for the unpalatable development but we should give thanks in the situation because thanksgiving glorifies God and transforms situations. Thanksgiving heals our broken hearts replacing bitterness and ill feelings with peace. So in good times and in bad times, we should develop a thankful heart for by so doing, we cause all things to work together for our good because we love the Lord and we are committed to his purpose for our lives. Thanksgiving slams the door against the devil giving him no room to destroy our joy and peace.
When people become unthankful, they open their minds to vain imaginations which result in darkening the heart. So many reasons can be responsible for un-thankfulness.
Unhealthy competition
Greed and covetousness
Wrong mindset – A feeling that one deserves more than what one gets
Pride
Achievers mentality – self made mindset
Ignorance
Unhealthy comparison (2 Corinthians 10:12)
We are appreciated in life when we learn to appreciate God and people.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to be thankful in everything and for everything
Rev. Vincent Diolu