Thanks a Lot! - Count Your Daily Blessings

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

If we were to ask Mr. Webster, he would tell us that gratitude is "the quality of being thankful." But for followers of Christ, it is the very melody of our faith. It is a heartfelt recognition of the people, gifts, and quiet moments that God uses to bring joy and peace into our lives. Gratitude is not a single note of courtesy; it is the harmonious chord that should resonate through our entire existence.

Yet, how often is that harmony disrupted? Why all of the discord and “sour notes?” Why do we hesitate to express our thanks, both to God and to the people He places in our path? A subtle pride can creep in, suggesting that we somehow deserve the unexpected blessing or have earned the moment of grace. We receive something truly remarkable —a gift from out of the ordinary —but the full measure of thankfulness feels just beyond our grasp. Why?

We must be aware that we are in a spiritual battle. There is an adversary, a roaring lion as the Apostle Peter describes, who prowls around us. His goal is to silence our song of praise. He wants us to see only lack, to measure our lives against the curated successes of others, and to dwell on every dream we feel we've missed.

His most powerful agent is envy—that gnawing discontent aroused by what others have. Envy tells us true satisfaction is just one more achievement away. It urges us to strive and strain, not from a place of holy purpose, but from a desperate need to show the world—and ourselves—how great we are, distracting us from the profound truth that in God, we are already complete.

We are asked to keep an eternal perspective. This is what our Father in heaven wants for us. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing” and recognize God's sovereignty. When we realize this, it's easier to apply the glue of gratitude to our Christian faith.

When we worship, it isn't just about singing. It's the harmony created when our spirit aligns with God's blessings. It is the soul's own hymn of praise. It's the beautiful composition written on the pages of the heart. In other words, count your blessings with a smile. It will create sweet music in the atmosphere. You might not hear it, but believe me, it’s there.

Let's consider the profound blessings we often overlook—the things so fundamental they seem obvious. It’s said that we don’t know the value of clean water until the well runs dry. Consider the blessing of food, so abundant in our country that the casual question, “Do you want fries with that?” echoes on nearly every corner. Or what of shelter? That steady roof over your head provides a haven of comfort, a place so secure that the most pressing question is often Netflix asking, “Are you still watching?”

Let's examine a couple of modern perks that we often take for granted. We owe a thank-you to electricity every time the fridge light greets us at midnight. We can be grateful for transportation, because even with traffic, it beats walking everywhere! And then there's our freedom to worship. A brief trip to a developing country is all it takes to realize how incredibly fortunate we are.

Moving from things to people, let's talk about relationships. There's our family—and yes, that includes the uncle with the same Thanksgiving joke every year. There are our friends, because life is just better when you aren't talking to yourself. And there's your crew, your fellowship of the faithful. Whether it's the choir singers or the coffee drinkers, they're the people who have your back.

Now, let's focus on the blessings that genuinely make you say, "Wow!" The first, of course, is God's love. It's unconditional, it's unlimited, and it doesn't have an expiration date. Then there is Salvation, which is quite literally the ultimate life upgrade. Without it, eternity looks… well, eternal. Finally, we have the Holy Spirit, the perfect, built-in guide who will never need a GPS to show us the way.

We have been promised so many things in God's own handbook. Think about it: we've been given eternal life—the ultimate retirement plan. He's promised His faithfulness, which is the most reliable thing in this world. And His Word promises us a peace that passes all understanding, completely free of charge!

He also gave us mountains and oceans, sunsets and stars. The changing seasons are simply nature's way of showing off God's creativity. Every single day, we have the privilege of hearing creation shout, “Hey, look what God can do!”

So, after reading this short list of reasons to be grateful, what can you actually do?

• Start a gratitude journal. Count your daily blessings. Call them "godsends" if you want to get technical. Get into the daily habit of jotting down three blessings in a notebook. Date it and keep track for 30 days. It will help you transform your "Ugh..." moments into "OMG!" moments of praise.

• Help other people. Seriously, nothing says "thank you" better than sharing God's love with someone who needs it.

• Look back during your prayer time. When you’re praying or worshiping, pause and reflect on the personal blessings God has showered upon your life. Go back in your memory and dig out those times you saw His goodness—maybe it was a blessing you never asked for, or perhaps it was a "no" to something you wanted badly. But looking back, you can see that God knew what was better for you than you did.

In summary, gratitude is not a fleeting thought or a "warm fuzzy" that is merely embraced out of obligation. It is a lifestyle, a spiritual discipline that develops over time, growing sharper and more profound with each passing day.

Therefore, encourage others to live a thankful life, with a ready smile and perhaps even an occasional happy dance. Get radical in your praise. Dance as David danced! Be unabashedly joyful in the glory of the Lord! In all things, give thanks, for this is the wellspring of a life truly lived. Oh, and by the way, “You’re welcome.”

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18