I don’t know about you, but my life is complicated and often over-full. And the rush of it all can push me toward anxiety. Knowing this about me and others like me, God encourages me over and over again to cultivate the habit of thankfulness.
“do you see how thankful we must be?” says
Heb. 12:28
Being thankful is a simple way to practice God’s presence. It’s a reminder that I’m not self-sufficient, that in fact, I’m dependent on him for my next breath.
Thankfulness recalibrates my attitude. If I’m feeling needy, it reminds me I’m rich in many ways. If I’m feeling whiny, it substitutes life-giving words in my mouth for the life-draining ones that would have come out.
Philo of Alexandria said, “The grateful soul of a wise man is the true altar of God.”
Thankfulness and responsibility are two of the most important graces we parents can model and our children can learn.
All of us can thank God more frequently for the people in our lives who love us well. And we need to thank God for those who don’t. Here’s a challenge – list two or three things you’re thankful for today. I’ll start:
1. I am thankful that Talia’s wedding is one week away and we’re almost done with the preparation!
2. I am thankful for Connie, Tara, Kristen, Joseph, Nancy and others who are helping us make the place beautiful.
3. I thank God bringing friends and family to our house this week.
What are you thankful for?
I’m so thankful to my Papa who has given me brothers and sisters in Christ who love people as Jesus loves. Who deny themselves to live this life for Christ. Who deliberately encourage. And I’m so thankful for elders who challenge me like you, Seth.
Jesus, I’m thankful for You and your never ending love!
And just as a side note, I’m very thankful for bananas and peanut butter!!
Thankful for the cool confirmation of what graces were given today on my hilly non-run. Thankfulness and worship to still & quiet my soul. I kept thinking of the psalm below…sure was better than hyperventilating. Thanks so much for your transparency, Seth (and your loving & authentic team!)
Psalm 131
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.
Cheers!
friend seth, today i’m truly thankful 4 you, as you speak openly about the hurts that sometimes afflict the brethren.
you know– many of the household of faith hold-fast to the pretense that they are ‘beyond’ such difficulties as anxiety, overwork, or discouragement.
thank God for those, like you, who are not unwilling to share hardships, as that means a lot to hurting people. it also shows your heart is true toward God, as you do not hide for fear of man(which bringeth a snare).
i leave this comfort for you (&me)and any other brethren, that: “when we are weak…then are we strong”.(2cor12:10)
and 1cor1:31 “according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (which you gave us an example of today, brother seth.)
you do good unto the household of faith, be blessed.Amen.
1. I’m thankful that my God knows me better than I do and loves me still
2. I’m thankful that it is the half term holiday here in the UK so no early mornings to get the kid to school this week!
3. I’m thankful for the kids in the next street who have taken to playing in our garden
1. I’m thankful for songs that give words and music to the praise that wells up in my heart when I think about God’s great salvation.
2. I’m thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage me to run the race with endurance.
3. I’m thankful for grandkids; what a blessing they are!
Be at peace brother.
Thankful for Men of God like you in my life…
I am so thankful that God has set me on the path chosen for me. He has saved my family and given me opportunities to pass the words of His grace and love on to others.