An amazing truth is discovered in 1Thessalonians 5:18. It is so powerful that if you live this truth every day, it can and will affect not only our behavior but our environment. What is this truth? “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Note the words, “In everything give thanks.” There are over three hundred times in the Bible the words thanks, thanksgiving or thankfulness appear.
An old story is told in Russia that at a particular time of the year you would go out into the countryside, take off your Russian hat and place 1000 rubles on it. You would wait for the sun to rise, and an old Russian man would be standing there to tell you that all the land you could run around and return to your hat before the sun sets is yours! The problem was always the same. Everyone that ran wanted all that they saw, more lakes, valleys, fields, etc.until frantically running to return before sunset, they would die of a heart attack. Today we run after so many things out of our dissatisfaction with what we already have. Hebrews 13:5 tells us to be content, thankful for what we have. Whatever we are grateful for will grow in value, whatever we complain about will always lose in value. No wonder why the Bible tells us to give thanks in everything!
In the book, “10 Signs of a Leadership Crash”, Stephen Mansfield says, “The constant trait in those that crash is the joy, excitement, and appreciation has left them.” Motion creates emotion. When we use our will to be thankful, the emotion of thanksgiving will follow.
Let me give you a great way to increase your thankfulness. Simply download my series called “Inspirational Stories” and get started.
