The Power of Thanksgiving

Occasionally I hear people say, “Life is just not worth living.” I am often amazed when I hear the basis of their evaluation. It frequently has to do with issues that sound trivial or transitory to me. Many years ago, I would occasionally pass a sign placed in front of a “junk shop.” The sign read, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” From time to time I would think, “That is the way life is.” Some people have so much that means so little to them and others have so little which means so much, all of which is determined by the goals and aspirations by which a person defines his system of values. Attitude contributes to and is formulated by our system of values.

Paul was probably of speaking of this issue when he delivered his scathing denunciation of the person with the “pagan mentality” in Romans 1:

“Because, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21).

A chief characteristic of living life to the fullest is a heart of genuine thankfulness—not in the attainment of possessions, fame, or great levels of personal achievement. Thankfulness can range from the simple to the sublime. I recall, as an older teenager, deer hunting in the mountains of New Mexico. I had only a light jacket and the weather turned bad: raining and sleeting. We were numb with cold. We stumbled onto a “line shack” that housed a cowboy who cared for that portion of the huge ranch we were on. He invited us in. The interior of the cabin was warm and cheery. He offered us each a cup of coffee which we eagerly took advantage of. At that time, I was normally not a coffee drinker but I recall thinking: “This is the best stuff I have ever had in my life!” I was so thankful for such a simple thing. Value is always based on perspective.

Our Father places an enormous premium on thankfulness. In fact, He, through the Apostle Paul, admonished us:

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

In so many words, He commanded us always to be thankful in everything and for everything to God our Father. All things consist of everything, meaning that we, in order to live life to the fullest, must develop a life of perpetual gratitude.

Paul knew the secret of powerful living; that gratitude is the cause rather than the result of living life to the fullest. He expressed that by saying: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). He, in contrast to the norm, was not seeking freedom from adverse or limited conditions. He had learned to use adversity to achieve his objectives.

The following thoughts on thanksgiving may be helpful:

• Thanksgiving, in the midst of affliction, deprives Satan, man, circumstances, and even our own perverse attitudes of the last word. It is the precipitator of liberty not the result of it.

• Thanksgiving places God firmly in control and, in so doing, renounces all self-interest, seeking only to bring obedient glory to the Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Thanksgiving is not so much an attitude as it is a choice. If we wait until we feel thankful, we may never get to the place of being thankful.

• Thanksgiving energizes, activates, and initiates divine action and resources.

• Thanksgiving develops a genuine glow of Godliness that is appealing to all, especially God.

God grant that we will develop sincere hearts of gratitude during this strategic year of our lives that we might live life to the fullest.

Jeff

Jefferson H. and Norma R. Floyd, CO-directors, Jubilee International, P. O. Box 572, Noblesville, IN 46061, Copyright November 2007 by Jefferson H. Floyd. All rights reserved