Yesterday, we discussed Jesus’ example in giving thanks to the Father over the bread and wine, a representation of His own soon to be broken body and poured out blood. This is proof that living in thanksgiving is much more than a discipline. It is a Christ-like mindset. Sure, discipline is involved. But it takes supernatural faith to live with this mind of Christ. Our affliction can be our hallmark proof of God’s faithfulness.
As we dig into this mini-series, our foundational verse about thankfulness is actually a command. The Bible says:
“…giving thanks ALWAYS for ALL things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Ephesians 5:20
Wait. What? I should be thankful for disappointment and illness? Well…again, what does God’s Word say above? My friend, I am startled and amazed by God’s Word. I’d never considered that my first response to everything, including trouble, should be to “give thanks.” But if you are busy giving thanks in times of trouble, then you can’t also be frustrated, angry, disappointed, envious, retaliating, etc., right? Imagine how wonderful your life would be without these joy-robbing emotions! An unthankful heart is a hothouse for the seeds of sin which produces perpetual dissatisfaction. Joy, by definition, is not merely happiness, rather it is the complete satisfaction we find in God.
It is impossible to lose your joy in affliction when you have a thankful heart.
My friend, having a thankful heart is NOT an impossible mountain to climb. It’s a mindset. We will see in a later devotional that it was also the mind of Christ. We are commanded to “transform ourselves by the renewing of our mind.” (Romans 12:1-2) When we are born again, we have the ability to have the remarkable mind of Christ.
A thankful heart is like an exquisite work of art; the only difference is—in Christ—anyone can own it.
Jesus set the standard. The Bible shows us Christ, the Creator and Sustainer of all things—giving thanks. Jesus was thankful. Jesus didn’t just teach us this in the Beatitudes, He lived them. Ah, my friend, this is why developing the attitudes of Christ is so critical to owning our joy.
Having a mindset of thankfulness is tremendously transformational because it gives us God’s perspective. When we have a heart of gratitude, the horror of sin is diminished by the joy of the great satisfaction of our life in Christ.
