by Sarah Young and Jesus Calling
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is rich with expressions of joy and thankfulness. Think of Joseph, giving his two sons names that celebrated the Lord’s redemption (Genesis 41:50–52). Hannah, rejoicing over God’s answer to her years of prayers for a son (1 Samuel 2:1–10). Nehemiah, leading the people of God in a huge dedication service at the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12:27–47). The leper who Jesus healed (Luke 17:11–19). Jesus Himself, who publicly gave thanks to His Father in heaven before feeding the five thousand (John 6:11). The 24 elders, worshiping before the throne of God (Revelation 11:16–17). And, of course, the writers of the Psalms, who testified again and again of God’s works and character with moving words such as these:
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds” (9:1).“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens” (68:19).
“Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, ‘Let God be magnified!’” (70:4 NKJV).
God’s Word bears witness of expressions and examples of the opposite too—of ungrateful or resentful attitudes surfacing among His people. And it wasn’t just the Israelites in the
wilderness either! A close look at the lives of men and women like Moses, Sarah, Rachel, Naomi, Elijah, and some of Jesus’s disciples indicates that even they struggled to be thankful at times, just as we all do. Yet as their stories (and ours) unfold, we see the truth: practicing thankfulness is a means to the renewed mind and life that God makes possible for everyone who puts their faith in Christ. If we’re willing to give the Word of God precedence in our lives—studying it, trusting it, heeding it—the Holy Spirit will faithfully, persistently change us from being worriers and complainers to being rejoicers. He will change us into people who practice thankfulness each day out of the overflow of the heart, recognizing God’s mercies and kindnesses and living in anticipation of His continuing goodness and care.
With our hearts attuned to thanksgiving, the Holy Spirit moves in us to consider, to respond, and to be changed in powerful ways. It’s a work that only God can do. The great
news is, it’s work that He loves to do so that we will draw closer to Him in love and trust, glorifying Him every day of our lives.
There are so many things for which you can be thankful to God beyond His provision for your needs. Among those blessings might be times when God rescued you from a difficult situation and brought you to a place of safety and security. Remembering experiences like these, when the gift of His Presence was especially clear, will build your trust in Him and remind you of His goodness.
Recalling God’s deliverance in past seasons of hardship can encourage you that He will be faithful in the face of any adversity you face today. This is also a practical way to shift your inclinations away from discouragement or doubt anytime life starts to frustrate you or feel ordinary. The more you practice thankfulness, the more the Holy Spirit will heighten gratitude in your heart, drawing you closer and closer to God.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- When you consider that today is the day the Lord has made for you,
does it move you toward joy and gratitude, toward resentment or
disappointment, or toward a combination of these reactions?
- Does being reminded of God’s Presence with you in this day make
it easier for you to be thankful? How does your level of focus on
adversity affect your awareness of His Presence?
SARAH YOUNG, author of the bestselling 365-day devotionals Jesus Calling® and Jesus Listens, was committed to helping people connect with Jesus and the Bible. Her books have sold more than 46 million copies worldwide. Jesus Calling® has appeared on all major bestseller lists. Sarah believed praying for her readers was a privilege and God-given responsibility and did so daily even amidst her own health challenges.
In Practicing Thankfulness, based on the bestselling book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, you will explore how you can switch your perspective to view your life more through
the lens of abundance than of lack. You will explore what the Bible has to say about the many ways that God provides for you, learn why you should give thanks to Him (in every situation) for this abundance, and discover how to truly make thankfulness a part of your daily life. This Bible Study includes six in-depth sessions.