Thankfulness

There is a power all of us possess, yet so few of us tap into.  I must shamefully confess that I am among those few. While being tasked with the privilege of writing on the subject, I have come to a realization of how little I put this power into practice – to my own detriment, of course.  But I am becoming more and more convinced that if we are intentional about it, our lives will forever be changed. I am speaking of the power of thankfulness.

It becomes easier for us this time of year, almost as if we are programmed to include it in our daily routine when November rolls around.  We gather with friends and family while reflecting on all of the things we have to be thankful for over a hot meal and a day filled with football.  Yet it is quickly forgotten only a few short weeks later as we shove our way into our favorite store trampling over anyone in our way in order to grab the best deals possible at 5 in the morning – or earlier.  Our selfishness becomes the prime motivator.

In a culture that has produced a self-centeredness like no other time in history (studies have proven we are the most narcissistic generation ever), its no wonder how easily we forget that the world doesn’t revolve us and our “needs.”  We simply lose sight of how truly blessed we are as a people and as a nation. Instead of finding contentment in what we have, we grumble and complain about the things we don’t. Being thankful, for most of us, does not seem to come naturally.  But I would like to challenge us to be different.

Thanksgiving should be so much more than a holiday.  Unfortunately, it has become so commercialized that, much like Christmas, we forget what its all about in the first place.  We should strive for thankfulness to be a lifestyle we live out each day. It doesn’t even have to be noticeable – simply having a thankful heart and thinking about those things in our life which bring us joy can bring a dramatic change not only to us but to those around us.  Regardless of our current circumstances, we can all find something to be thankful for. Maybe you didn’t get that promotion, but you still have a job with great benefits. Perhaps you received a negative report from the doctor, but you are surrounded by a loving family who will be an amazing support.  All we have to do is look around. I promise – someone out there is wishing for the life we complain about.

It is not my intention for this article to be negative or condemning.  Rather, my hope is that it will cause us to tap into an unlimited power source that can bring us into a place of joy so few have ever truly experienced.  A grateful heart is simply acknowledging the goodness in our lives. It is one of the few things both the secular and religious agree on; thankfulness produces contentment while contentment produces a grateful heart.  This is hugely beneficial to us in so many ways. In an article from Forbes by Amy Morin (cited in the original article), she gives us 7 benefits of gratitude including physical, psychological and mental health improvements from multiple studies.  That alone should be enough to motivate us to be more thankful on the daily.

Does all of this talk of contentment and thankfulness mean that we need to not strive for more in life?  Absolutely not. In fact, I believe by choosing this lifestyle we may unknowingly produce greater opportunities than we ever expected for ourselves.  Its when we lose sight of those things in which we should be thankful for that our minds and judgment become clouded. Despair and hopelessness can easily set in and bring us down causing us to be blind to the goodness in our lives.  

As stated before, thankfulness is not one of my strong suits.  I am one who easily loses focus on what I have been blessed with and become discontent with where I am.  Conviction has become a reality for me on this subject as I reflect back on my own life and see where I used to be.  Everything from growing up poor with a single Mom barely getting by in a one-room shack with dirt floors to my own drug addictions, a short period of homelessness and narrowly escaping a military prison sentence.  I have so many reasons to be thankful that there should be no reason for this to not be a daily lifestyle for me. Considering my life now and all that I have – a beautiful home, a great marriage, amazing daughters and a ministry that is literally changing lives, thankfulness should be natural by this point.  

So this is my challenge to you and myself – let’s be intentional about being thankful. Every day of every month, not just in November. Make a list of every reason you have to be thankful if you need to.  Then read it every chance you get. Memorize it, repeat it, meditate on it. Whatever it takes. Just make a solid effort to cultivate this powerful lifestyle.  You’ll be thankful you did.