Signs of a Thankful Heart

Having an attitude of gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Autumn and Thanksgiving is fast approaching. Many will soon be focusing on giving thanks. And yet, I can’t help but notice how little gratitude we have as a society for our blessings. Before you know it, people will have a meal to “give thanks” and then stand in line to get the latest, greatest sale item. Something they likely won’t even want or need in a few years.

I like Turkey and Football but I recognize that thankfulness is something I need (we all need) to exude more of. This got me thinking about what a thankful heart looks like.

What’s the evidence that someone is thankful?

This isn’t scientific by any means, just my observation. But I’ve discovered grateful people have a few things in common…

They have joy

They are generous

They are at least moderately disciplined

They encourage (or are at least not critical of) others

They are humble

They are forgiving

They seek God’s heart, not just His hand

Someone years ago told me I should work on being more grateful. That suggestion pierced, as I knew they were right. Since then, I have adopted an attitude of gratitude. I had searched for references to thankfulness in scripture (what greed and covetousness is also) and the evidences of gratitude. The above list is what I noticed.

If you’re a thankful person, you see yourself as blessed. Therefore, you naturally have some joy from that. Thankful people are appreciative of what they have and don’t tend to have a sense of entitlement. Giving then is pretty easy to do. What’s given isn’t measured by a perceived lack, but rather treasured blessing.

As a mom to 3 boys, one low functioning ASD, my house can be cluttered (it's improving). Even so, I do try to keep the house looking presentable. My house is small, but I’m thankful I at least have one. My response is to take care of it as much as I’m able. If you're faithful in the little, you'll be faithful in much (see Luke 16:10).

Something striking I observed is that grateful people do not criticize others regularly and they tend to be edifying. I won't sugarcoat something, but I tend to be as positive as possible. Ever heard the saying, “Knocking someone else down doesn’t make you any taller?” I think many critical individuals are miserable on the inside. After all per Matthew 12:34 what’s in the heart comes out in our speech.

Thankful people (especially godly believers) are usually humble as they have a modest estimation of their abilities. They know their talents and giftings come from God. That leads them to be forgiving. If I’m thankful, and thus aware, of the grace and mercy God has given to me then it’s natural for me to give that to others, too.

Most of all, thankful people seek God’s heart. When you’re grateful for what God has given you, the desire to ask for more and more is restrained. There’s nothing wrong with asking God for needs and wants, but we should seek Him first and obey His commandments.

Give thanks on the inside and the outside.

Today, I want to leave you with a simple challenge. Give thanks inwardly in your heart and outwardly to other people and things. Take care of what God entrusted to you. This includes your possessions but foremost your relationships. Everything we have has been given to us by God in His love. There’s literally billions of people on this planet that go to bed every night hungry and in poverty.

Before you utter that complaint, get depressed over what you don’t have, or feel jealous of someone else-give thanks. Praise His name and tell Him what you’re thankful for. For some of you, this may be the key to unlocking greater blessing and joy in your life.

Give thanks.

Psalm 105:1 ESV Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

Colossians 3:15, 17 ESV And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs

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