A Thankful Heart

 

Do you know an unthankful heart is an open door to darkness and a useless life? 

 

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).

 

When we don’t thank God, we don’t think sensibly. We uselessly let offense, resentment, bitterness, criticism, and complaining into our hearts and close the door to Jesus’ light and life. “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (James 3:16). 

 

Are you thankful?  Do you acknowledge God as the source of your life? Do you recognize Him as your healer, provider, and Savior?  Do you thank Him for your home, clothing, and food? Do you have money in the bank?  Perhaps you don’t believe you have enough, but until you are thankful for what you have, you will keep God’s grace from blessing you with more.  

 

“Let the peoples praise You, O God;

Let all the people praise You.

Then the earth shall yield her increase;

God, our own God, shall bless us” (Psalm 67:5-6).

 

God’s increase comes from praise. Praise is not just a mere act but a powerful tool that can change your life from bitterness to abundance. Start praising the Lord and thanking Him.  Keep away from those who steal your capacity to praise Him. Continually find God’s goodness in the most minor details of life and thank Him. Praise Him for His promises, forgiveness, love, healing, and grace.  

 

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8).

 

Don’t be double-minded, praising God one moment and complaining the next. Draw near to God, and purify your heart. The more you cleanse your heart of offense, bitterness, and complaining, the more quickly you can enter into the light of Jesus’ abundant life.

 

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6).

 

Your faith is strengthened when you “overflow” with gratitude. Faith is never complete until there is thanksgiving. When you receive what you pray for, what is your response? It is some form of thanksgiving. It is impossible to see the answer to your prayer without praise rising in you. That is because thanksgiving is a vital part of faith, and faith isn’t complete without it. You operate in faith when you praise God for your promise before receiving it. As you thank the Lord in advance for your promise, your faith increases to greater heights. 

 

Praising the Lord for your blessings—those you have now and those to come—increases your faith and releases more of God’s blessings. When you acknowledge the Lord as your source, your faith is built up, and you keep praising Him. You are an open door to His light and life.

 

Don’t allow your heart to be darkened with pride and contention. Don’t take offense and allow bitterness and unforgiveness to rob you of the abundant life that is yours in Christ. Choose forgiveness. Choose humility. Allow the peace and light of Christ to rule in your heart, and be thankful. Let His message dwell in you and transform your life. Continually praise Him with a grateful heart (Colossians 3:15-16).

 

A thankful, praising heart increases your faith and God’s blessings. 

 

 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

 

 

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