Count Your Blessings 

As thanksgiving holiday has recently gone and passed, I wanted this next post of mine to focus on being thankful. As Christians, it is important to be able to humble ourselves, and reflect on everything that we are given in life, everything that God provides us with, and to be thankful for that. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

(Picture from How Stuff Works Website)

It is great that Americans, and others around the world spend this holiday with family and are thankful for each others’ company, food on their plates, roof over their heads, clothes on their bodies, being safe and well. But, why is it limited to just one day? Why aren’t we continuing this tradition as a normal process in our lives, to give thanks and praise God?

Our society is constantly changing and drawing further and further away from God and His Word. We live in a world filled with technology controlling our day to day lives. Our satisfaction stems from our hand held devices through social media. People receive a hit of dopamine (the “feel good” chemical in the brain) that gets released when someone get lots of likes on a Facebook post, or how many followers they have on Instagram, rather than being happy and thankful with what they have surrounding them externally. Our sense of happiness and gratification has become materialistic.

(Picture from Bodybuilding website)

More and more children are brought up in this technologically advanced state, with their eyes glued to screens, rather than connecting outside with God’s creation. It’s truly sad. Technology can be used in so many different ways now. I mean, I’m using a computer right now to speak through to all the readers out there. People use it to connect with others, even for God’s work – to preach the gospel. It’s when people take advantage of it, and misuse it, is when there is a problem. I’m thankful for the technology that we have today simply because I am able to talk to my friends, and spread the truth of the gospel to others across many different countries. But to shift the focus back on our society, children are being raised to essentially worship these devices, rather than worshipping the Creator.

I remember seeing this video of Christians in China that gathered together to open up a package filled with Bibles. The excitement that they showed to be able to have a physical copy of The Word of God was overwhelming. It brought tears to my eyes. These people must have only been able to hear the Word and not have had any form of physical copies for their own selves. They were so beyond grateful and thankful for receiving their own bibles that day. When we compare this story, with what we see in other societies today, is astounding to say the least.

Even scientists are now identifying that those who are more thankful and count their blessings can see a boost in one’s success and overall well-being. A recent study done on college students in America around thanksgiving found that those who expressed thanks and gratitude had more positive emotions and a better satisfied feeling on life both during thanksgiving and on the following days afterwards. So when we put all of this into perspective, we must change our mindset, and refocus on what is most important: praising and thanking God for all He has done for us. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever” (Psalm 107:1).

(Picture from King James Bible Online Website)

We as Christians are to be the light in the darkness. We have the truth within us, and in our hands. We need to continue to spread the truth of the Word of God to others, to let them know about our Creator, so that they can be drawn to Him. Not enough people are thankful or appreciative of the fact that we have access to the greatest ‘weapon’ – the Bible. It provides us with knowledge of all things, and gives us guidance and comfort in our walks with Christ. When we have Jesus in their lives, we become more at peace, knowing that He is always there. We must meditate on The Word, and give thanks and glory to Him, regardless of our situations. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” (Ephesians 5:20). We must not fall into the trap of this worldly, Godless façade that has us wanting and needing more in order to gratify ourselves, making us ego-centric and inconsiderate of what we do have.

(Picture from Honest About My Faith Website)

The Bible says in James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. We must acknowledge the fact that God created everything. He is our provider, our refuge, our strength, our eternal Father and Creator. It is important to give thanks and praise to Him, in everything that we encounter in our lives. Christians have become too self-centered, and have fallen from the humility of valuing God’s grace and mercy. There are homeless people in the world that are much more appreciate and thankful with what they have and what is going on in their lives, as opposed to others who have so much more and yet do not show respect or gratitude as such. Change your mindset, focus on the importance of God’s grace and mercy, for He gave us life, and He is with us, and answers our prayers. Do not let these worldly, selfish, self-gratifying desires entice you. Do not let one day a year be an excuse to be thankful for what you have, and to praise God. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, for the sins of the whole world. Please let that be a reminder that the greatest sacrifice was made for us all, and thus, our lives, and what we have should not matter nearly as much as our faith and love in Jesus Christ alone.

I will end by asking you all this: how often do you give thanks and praise God for all He has done for you and provided for you?

God Bless you.

 

Category: mom blog