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Kylie sat snuggled in a circle of 8thgrade girls. As their youth leader, she was eager to hear how each would answer the ice breaker question:  Name three things you’re thankful for.

“Food, family and friends” the first girl declared boldly.

“Food, family and friends,” said the second girl, too. As did the third.

Not exactly the original, authentic kind of sharing my daughter hoped for. Kylie quickly realized these girls needed a bit of direction if the conversation was ever going to get off the ground.

“Hold on. New Rule: You can’t repeat each other. If someone says it, think of something else”.

Kylie’s mandate was received with a wall of blank stares; a sea of deer-in-the-headlights expressions, as if she’d asked them to recite the preamble to the constitution (which, by the way, might have been easier).

Then…silence. (Insert awkward cricket noises)

What’s going on here? Why is it so difficult to look beyond the expected answer (food, family, friends) and come up with something–anything–to be thankful for?

We need an honest look at thankfulness, one where we consider why we aren’t thankful, and why we should be.

Because people who live without gratitude never find true happiness. Or contentment. Or joy.

And what, in heavens name, are we doing to raise a generation of kids who have such little concept of how blessed they are?  Of how blessed we all are?

Honestly, though, I can’t point the finger: like a self-centered middle schooler, I can forget how much I have to be thankful for. Sure, holidays like Thanksgiving provide pause to reflect on my blessings, but what about the other 364 days of the year?

Just last week I prayed for God to bless me, but then I heard His tender whisper: You already are.

4 Things We Need to Know about Thankfulness

1.  Our Human Tendency is to Forget to Give Thanks

In Luke 17  Jesus heals ten lepers. Only one, however, went back to say “thank you”. And although math isn’t my strong suit, even I can calculate the percentage here.

Weren’t all ten happy they were healed? Didn’t all ten receive a blessing? Didn’t all ten get what they wanted? Of course.

However, getting what we want and feeling happy doesn’t always translate into thankfulness.

Why is this important to note?

Because happiness is self-focused (Do I feel good? Am I pleased with the way things turned out? Did I get my way?). Thankfulness, though, forces us to look beyond ourselves.

We live in a  world where preoccupation with self is epidemic–and it’s making us miserable. Gratitude is the antidote to the poison of self-preoccupation.

Who is one person you’ve neglected to thank? A parent? A spouse? A co-worker? Say “thank-you” today!

2. Thankfulness Changes Us

Many people think, I’ll be thankful when I have something to be thankful about.

But as we’ve just seen, happiness doesn’t automatically translate into giving thanks.

However, giving thanks translates into happiness.

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Perhaps this is one reason why giving thanks is God’s will for us. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I used to think giving thanks was for God’s benefit; now I’m convinced it’s for mine.

Recent studies confirm that the act of thankfulness changes the chemistry in our brain, making us happier, healthier people.

“The practice of gratitude increases your dopamine and seratonin production (“feel good” hormones) which encourages your brain to seek more of the same. It’s the brain saying, ‘Oh, do that again’ which means the more you are grateful for, the more you will find to be grateful for.”

What good can you see in a difficult circumstance? Resilience? Maturity? Growth? Give thanks in that circumstance, even if you struggle to give thanks for it.

3.  Thankfulness Has the Biggest Impact When It’s Expressed

For thankfulness to really change things (including you and me) it must be expressed. We have to say it, write it, or show it.

No one benefits from unexpressed gratitude. Not me. Not my family. Not my friends. Not my co-workers. Not the barista who brews my coffee, or the waiter who provides amazing service, or the business owner who goes the extra mile.

It’s not merely feeling thankful that changes relationships, attitudes, and circumstances; it’s expressing it.

Maybe that’s why they call it “Giving Thanks”.

When our gratitude becomes public our perspective becomes positive.

But there’s more! (and you’re going to love this…)

Thankfulness is contagious. If just one person (remember the one in ten?) expresses gratitude, other people begin to lean toward thanksfulness, too. If you want the people around you (your kids, your co-workers, your friends) to be less entitled and more grateful don’t tell them to be thankful.

Show them how: Talk about your blessings.

4.  Thankfulness is an Intentional Act of Worship

King David wrote,

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 9:1).

Did you notice David said, “I will give thanks”? Giving thanks is a choice. Gratitude is a decision. Thankfuless is intentional. We either choice to thank God, or we will forget to thank God (there’s the one in ten, again!).

Of course, it’s easy to forget to give thanks.

But life change, soul change, brain change, atmosphere change, and family change becomes possible when we remember to give thanks.

So, what are you thankful for? Express it by leaving a comment below.

(P.S. I’ll go first!

I’m thankful for YOU! I’m thankful I have the opportunity to connect with you here, to share just a bit of what God is teaching me in the hopes it encourages you, too. I’m thankful I’ve met so many of you while speaking across the country (actually, the world!) and for many others I hope to meet in the future.)

 

 

donnajones

More than a Bible teacher, Donna is a self-described Bible explainer. A colorful storyteller who combines Biblical truth with real-life anecdotes, her messages not only help listeners understand God’s Word, but most important, grasp how to live it out in real life.

12 Comments

  • Francine Crawford says:

    I am thankful for you, Donna! I had the opportunity to hear you for the first time speak last month at Winning Women for Christ and was really blessed by your teaching. Your message was so relatable and just what I needed. So, thank you!

  • Gretchen says:

    I am truly thankful for you Donna and all you you teach us! I am thankful for my health and my families health. I am very grateful for all the beautiful sunsets and that I can see them and walk to the beach to view them!! I am thankful that I know the Lord!

    Happy Thanksgiving and thank you again for all that you do

    • donnajones says:

      Thank you, Gretchen. And thank you for always being an encourager with your comments on my blog. You bless me!

  • Julie Mangino says:

    Where to begin…so much to be thankful for! Thankful I was blessed with a good man 45 years ago, who loves the Lord, thankful for good health, for finding a spirit filled church, for my kids and grandkids, for getting to live in beautiful Southern California, for good friends and saving the best for last…having Jesus in my life.😊

  • Margaret says:

    Donna
    Thank the Lord for the devotional to remind me, as well as to it put into practice where I live. I can tell you that to look around me in a nursing facility, it’s very easy to find a lot to be thankful for. I’ve been reminded several times, by the Lord to “Rejoice in the Lord always”, even in the pain, even when people ‘do wrong’ to me… ! And, this is certainly difficult!! I’m grateful, as well, for the true few friends I have!

    Donna, I’m not sure if I’m putting this correctly, but for all the Lord has brought me thru! He’s certainly my true Deliverer, Comforter, Strength, Rock…in Whom I take refuge, especially in these stormy days of life. Oh, how I long to see my Savior’s face & to leave behind this old body & have a new body, like my Lord’s! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

    Again, thank the Lord for this devotional! Tremendous reminder! Have a blessed Thanksgiving in the Lord! God bless🙏❣️
    Margaret

  • Anne says:

    Donna, I thank YOU for your encouraging words. Thanks you for your down-to-earth
    friendly nature. I saw/heard you at Loudonville Community Church in Albany, NY a few years
    back. May God bless you and yours, Anne

    • donnajones says:

      Oh Anne…how wonderful to hear from someone from the Albany, NY conference! I loved being with you all and remember the powerful work God did so fondly. I hope to get out to your neck of the woods again in the future! Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you and yours as well.

  • Danica Ebner says:

    I just love the way you explained all this!!! So good. I put it into my notes on my phone to read every day! Xoxo

  • Sumaya says:

    I am thankful to God that I met this page..It’s really changing my life..
    Am thankful for the blessings and favor that the Lord has shown me..and the great people he has brought in my life

    • Jacquelyn Dudley says:

      What an eye opening article. I have two grandchildren who lost both parents. As an active caregiver in their lives I am boggled by their self absorbstion and lack of thankfulness in every area of their life the age of 10 and 11. Your article reminds me not to preach about it but to to be about it. Thank you for the reminder to tha insight.