Christian Writers Circle

Faithful Gratitude
by Judy Hitson

Ephesians 5:20 NKJV giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A visiting pastor’s wife spoke at our church several years ago that made a deep impression on my heart. She challenged us to start each day with five things we are thankful for to develop a spirit of gratitude. If nothing comes to mind, she said, be thankful you can breathe, walk, talk, hear, etc.

At that time, I struggled with nagging and complaining. For sure, I was convicted of my sin and saw my need to confess my sin and choose to walk in repentance for a changed mind, changed heart and changed life. Praise God for His marvelous ways to persuade us to walk in His ways by the Spirit, experience victory in Jesus and refuse defeat walking in our fleshly ways. 

Yes, let us be faithful to thank God for simple, yet profound, important, needful things in our lives we may take for granted. This practice stamps out negativity. For me, it brings a smile to my face before the Lord, grateful for His many blessings and the victory we have in Christ Jesus.

1 Thess. 5:18 NKJV in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

That is in all circumstances and as our key verse says, “giving thanks always for all things,” We may wonder why God would say that or what we have to learn. Why would we be thankful, for example, in or for difficult trials in our lives? In those times, God is developing our character to be more like Jesus who endured the cross, Heb. 12:2. We are called to follow Him, to walk in His steps

After receiving the challenge to start my days by finding five things I’m thankful for, I prayerfully considered it. Then came the realization of the mighty things God has done in my life. I can say I have faithful gratitude for my salvation, deliverance, healing, provisions, intimate relationship with Christ by His Spirit giving me life and community in Christ with fellow believers day by day.

The Doxology comes to mind at this time of gratitude:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.