The Secret to Being Thankful at All Times

Is it really possible to always be thankful?  Can we, as imperfect beings, really practice thankfulness in all situations and at all times?  I believe it is possible and, according to God’s word, it is exactly what we are commanded to do.

The topic of thankfulness is one that is found throughout the Bible, and for good reason.  God is good and the ultimate expression of His goodness was revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross.  This is the foundation on which our faith is based and I don’t believe that it is possible to thank God enough for this one marvelous gift.

But it doesn’t stop there.  God is good in the way that He is patient with us and reveals His character from faith to faith.  He spoke through the prophets and apostles that were inspired to write His words so that we could learn and be encouraged and lack for nothing.  And today, His spirit is still working and revealing truth to those who listen to His still small voice.

In addition, God is a provider.  It is His word that spoke this world into existence and it is His will that maintains it.  He provides the air that we breathe, the water that we drink and the food that we eat.  He is actively involved in the lives of His children and He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Yet, as thankful as I am for all of these things, there is one piece of knowledge that I must have before I can be thankful at all times.  There is one attitude that I must adopt and one truth that I must believe with every fiber of my being that makes all the difference.  It can be summed up in one word: steward.

I am a steward, not an owner.  I am a caretaker, not a creator.  I am a conduit, not a source.

All that I have and all that I am and all that I experience and enjoy belongs to God.  He made it all and He keeps it going.  He provides the life, the strength, the sustenance, the gifts, and the talents and He has tasked me with feeding His sheep and walking humbly with Him.

This is the key.  This is the pillar on which a life lived in thankfulness must be built.  This is the secret that every man, woman and child should be taught to understand.  Our thankfulness comes not from what we have been given and certainly not from what we think we are due.  Our thankfulness comes from who we were created to be.