“I will always thank
the Lord, I will never stop praising him” .Psalms 34:1 Good News Translation.
“Whatever happens, give
thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this”.1 Thessalonians
5:18 God’s Word Translation.
In our
pursuit of living a life of gratitude daily, gratitude to God must become a
foremost priority but the peculiarity of showing gratitude to an invisible God
may pose challenges and certain religious ideas may have reduced it to become
associated only with the grace before meals or bedtime prayers.
We can show
our gratitude to God for the life we have by living it to the fullest. Every day
should be received with excitement as a present perfectly packaged and
delivered to us (Psalms 68:19). The uniqueness of our being means that we have
all been specially wired by the manufacturer with particular gifts and talents.
The usage of these gifts and talents bestowed on us coupled with a healthy love
for ourselves is another way of expressing our gratitude to God. Envying others
and playing the comparison game may actually be a sign of ingratitude.
Taking care
of our bodies by not moving to the extremes under the guise of dieting, exercising,
medication, work, recreation, eating and drinking is another way of showing our
gratitude to God. Also putting the very best in our work shows that we are
grateful to God that He has provided us with a means of sustenance and increase
.Taking the time to develop our minds and improving our intellect also
signifies gratitude. Telling others of the goodness of God and the change he
has made in our life is another means of expression.
Singing
songs of praise which sometimes are Psalms is a well-known method of giving God
thanks. However a closer look at the Psalms show the writers were specific about
things they were grateful for (Psalms 103:3, 4; 104:13-15). The more specific thanksgiving
is, the more meaningful and personal it becomes. We can also imitate these
ancient saints by having a written record of the good things God does for us. I
do have one which I call my “Thanksgiving diary” and the blessedness of going through
it at times when I am down is unparalleled. I encourage you to start keeping
one today. This is because there are times when we may not be able to trace God
but by means of such records, we are able to recall all that He has done in the
past which then serves as a springboard for our faith and prayers.
Our goal should
be to make our lives an ongoing expression of gratitude to God. In developing
this attitude, we need to be intentional and consistent. Sometimes having reminders
or prompts during the day to stop and thank God can help in achieving this
goal. This is because a life of gratitude is not optional, it is the way to truly live.
.
.
Yours in
Him,
Grace
Tom-Lawyer
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