While out hiking this week, I began thanking God for everything I could think of. So I began with basics—a healthy body enabling me to hike; eyes to see the beauty of nature; ears to hear the birds; a nose to smell the scents of Spring; and a sound mind to process all the sensory beauty. Then I moved on beyond the basics to my soul having a great sense of…the purpose God has given me; belonging in an eternal family; joyfulness in His presence; His patience and mercy towards me; the great comfort in my salvation; and, the powerful working of the Holy Spirit. As my heart became more and more thankful, all the space was taken up with great joy. Then…WHAM—a thought hit me like light breaking through the darkness:
God works deep magic in a thankful heart.
Now, if you know me, you know when I say “magic” what I do NOT mean is tricks or hocus pocus; but rather, what I mean is “highly unusual delight.” It’s kind of like the Lucky Charms song characterizing them as “magically delicious.” You see, as I was deliberately being thankful, I realized that there was no room in my heart for darkness and there was only exquisite joy.
As the implications of thankfulness struck me, I realized I had a great remedy for many of the problems that make me anxious. The deep magic of a thankful heart is powerful. Because…
I CAN’T be bitter when I’m thankful;
I CAN’T be a hater when I’m thankful;
I CAN’T be ugly when I’m thankful;
and conversely, when I AM thankful…
I’m kind,
generous,
joyful, and
I love who I am!
Read the following passages side by side:
“Let the PEACE of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY in ALL WISDOM, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with GRACE in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Colossians 3:15-17
“Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became FUTILE in their thoughts, and their FOOLISH hearts were DARKENED. Professing to be wise, they became FOOLS.”
Romans 1:21-22
Do you see the sharp contrast between a heart thankful to God and a heart that is unthankful? When our life has become so dark that we live like God does not exist…we become foolish. This applies to Christians as well as the lost. Believe me, I know! As a born again child of God, I lived like He didn’t exist for many years—and I had very little lasting joy and lots of anxiety. It is so easy to slip back into that life! But…🎶Givin’ thanks to God is such a good tool; keeps me from actin’ like a fool.🎵 (I couldn’t resist making that into a rap) 😁
If something as simple as thankfulness can make such a tremendous difference in our life…isn’t it worth trying? I think so! I am beginning to stop several times a day just to give GOD—thanks…it resets my focus and makes such an amazing difference!!!
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” I Chronicles 16:34
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