Thanks a Lot!

Thanks a Lot!

What’s so important about having a thankful heart? What difference does it really make in the scheme of things? If we’re grateful for all we’ve been given in this life, or feel like we’ve earned it, I guess it all depends on what motivates us. Some of us may be thankful for the accumulation of nice things, while others may judge quality of life by how close-knit our family is, how many awards we’ve won, or successes achieved. How about you?

Perhaps you’re most thankful for God’s peace which passes all understanding. Peace is something I think we all seek and even crave in this life, so let’s start there. A decent rule of thumb in assessing how well our lives are going might be to check if the things we are thankful for really bring us peace. We might ask, “Did that extra time at the office serve any purpose in improving the quality of our family life?” Or “has striving for that promotion brought the desired result?”

If the answer is ‘no,’ I want to speak God’s love into your heart at this moment. God, our wonderful Father in Heaven loves you and has a plan for your life. He promises in John 10:10 that He came to give you an abundant life. There seems to be a direct connection between how ‘abundant’ our life feels and how peaceful we are. First comes a feeling of gratitude for the peace, and that gratitude serves to increase our peace which becomes an upward movement toward blessing. As Pastor Charles Stanley often taught, “Anything you are thankful for, will bring you a sense of peace.”

Let us Walk in His Way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for everything You have given to us, including the gifts and talents we have, which help us to make a living as well as to bless others. LORD increase our peace as strivings cease, and may it produce in us thankful hearts. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

by Corinne “Kinney” deHamel

author of “Walk in His Way” for

Carry the Light Ministries