Psalm 9:1
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
Now that Autumn has arrived and we are enjoying God’s handiwork which has been on display, perhaps like me you may have the sense that it is an invitation to embrace a new season of possibilities and new reasons to be grateful. One of my devotions earlier this year spoke of how to practice the Sabbath. Along those same lines, how can we “practice” thankfulness?
We often think of Spring and the Easter season as a time of repentance and new beginnings, but Autumn can offer the same. When we welcome the season, seeking a fresh start that only Jesus can provide, expressing thanksgiving, especially during the month of November, can profoundly change our outlook and even rewire our thinking.
It begins when we come to the Lord to empty ourselves of any of the sinful attitudes we have been carrying around. Are we weighed down by being bitter, unforgiving, angry, jealous, discontented, downtrodden, or even hopeless? Ask the Lord for forgiveness and commit to removing them to make room for something new—a spirit of thankfulness.
Second, try “practicing” thankfulness, making it a regular part of your life, in thought, speech, written word, and actions. Having a heart of thankfulness is a means by which God will give you a totally different outlook on life and insight into what He is doing in it and through it. Thank Him for giving you your first breath in the morning, and at night when you close your eyes, and every opportunity in between, thank Him. Look up the Bible verses provided for you in Sunday’s post two days ago, that gave a list of gratitude and thankfulness scriptures. Choose one for each day, perhaps to memorize and share with the family. Think back to ways God has answered prayers, recall the small and big ways He has shown His love, care, goodness, faithfulness, and provision, and thank Him. What did He do yesterday? What did He bring to your mind just now? Perhaps write them in a journal or on slips of paper for your own “Gratitude Jar” suggested in an earlier devotion from last week.
God is worthy of our gratitude and thankfulness. Embrace the possibilities that come with practicing thankfulness!
With eyes on Him,
~ Marsha
Dear Lord, You who is worthy of all praise, the One who has given us life and all the blessings of being in relationship with You, open our eyes to see all the reasons we have for being grateful. Help us to shed any attitudes that separate us from You, and create in us clean hearts, wholly dedicated to loving, serving, thanking, and glorifying You. In Your Son’s name we pray. Amen.
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