As I look back on my life, it occurs to me that God has led me on an unusual journey. For a missionary, I have an odd work history. It’s a history that has taken me many years to appreciate. I was raised on a small dairy farm. I studied music. I have worked in construction, as a prison guard, and for the last 33 years as a missionary—things that, on the surface, have absolutely nothing in common. But it has allowed me to work in a lot of different contexts with many very different people. Over time, I have come to appreciate that this unusual background has allowed me to see some things I may have never noticed had I lived a different life.

One of these observations will be the subject of today’s discussion. Today, I want to think about thankfulness. We were probably all taught to say thank you as children. But thankfulness is more than being polite or pleasant. It changes us, and everyone we meet, and this change is for the better—much better.

It may seem overblown to suggest that something as simple as thankfulness could have so much power. But after many years of experience with people from all over the world, I am more sure of this truth every day. Thankfulness changes everything.

Thankfulness and Joy

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

Thankfulness changes our focus. It changes our focus from ourselves to God and others. This in itself is healing because self-focus is the root of discontent, resentment, bitterness, depression, and ultimately - despair. Thankfulness causes us to focus on what we have rather than what we lack. It is a constant reminder that we are wholly dependent on God, every moment, even for our very existence. God is our Creator and sustainer, and He is our hope for the future. Thankfulness releases joy, and joy is healing. Joy is also contagious.

Have you ever met someone and walked away feeling happier and more alive? Have you ever had the exact opposite experience? Think about it: what was different about those experiences? I can almost guarantee that the life-giving experience included thankfulness and the draining experience did not.

I understand that there can be a sort of perverse pleasure in running down everything and everyone. But in the end, you feel empty and alone with a vague(or not so vague) sense of guilt and shame. An unthankful heart is toxic and malignant. Consider Paul’s words in Romans:

For although they knew God,

Thankfulness, on the other hand, leaves you feeling hopeful and alive. Thankfulness revives and strengthens our souls. Thankfulness gives us hope, and hope changes our attitude and actions. Hope gives us strength to help others and look to the future. Thankfulness brings hope, and both are contagious. Imagine a world that hoped in God instead of the futile imaginings of humanity. Imagine a world where people used their words to lift instead of crush. We can do something about this; we can do more than simply imagine it. We can be carriers of hope to this world, and it can start today.

This Week

We can be thankful because there is much to be thankful for. God has forgiven us and adopted us into His family forever. The temporary problems of this world are nothing in comparison. Paul tells us in Romans 8: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Thankfulness reminds us of this eternal perspective: this life is not all there is. Even on our worst days, there is always so much to be thankful for. Thankfulness is not “fake it till you make it;” it is recognizing the reality of what God has done and will do. This week, let’s practice thankfulness. Write down your blessings and rehearse them. Share your thanks and hope with someone else, and you will learn the secret of thankfulness.

I will leave you with some encouragement from scripture.

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

Have you not known? have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary?

Have a great week!