As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, let's commit to a lifestyle of thankfulness and discover all the benefits of a thankful heart.
Today, in the US, we remember and celebrate the good things in our lives.
The theme of thankfulness is found throughout the Old and New Testaments. It’s clear that we are to maintain an attitude of thankfulness at all times.
in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
What’s interesting is how often thankfulness is linked with other spiritual principles, painting a colorful portrait of the fruit we can expect when our hearts are filled with thanks and praise.
Here are just a few of the biblical fruits associated with thankfulness.
Healing
“As I create the praise [fruit] of his lips
Peace, peace, to him who is far away [both Jew and Gentile] and to him who is near!”
Says the Lord; “And I will heal him [making his lips blossom anew with thankful praise].”
Isaiah 57:19
God is a healer and restorer. It’s his nature and it never changes. When we position our hearts with thankfulness in anticipation of God’s goodness and faithfulness, we position ourselves to receive all God has for us.
If you are looking for restoration or healing in your marriage, begin to thank God that he is for your marriage, that he is powerful, and that he is able to bring about all that he has in his heart for your relationship.
Peace
In addition to the Isaiah passage above, we have this from the New Testament:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
It’s hard to be fearful when your heart is fixed on being thankful. We have the promise of the peace of Christ, which surpasses our human understanding and reaches beyond our circumstances.
If you need an extra dose of peace in your marriage, try making a list of things about your spouse and your marriage that you appreciate most. Rehearse them to yourself. Speak them out loud. Thank God for them.
Faith
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 2:6-7
Thanksgiving builds your faith. When you remember and celebrate the goodness of God in your life, you invite God to do it again.
In the same way, when you celebrate the good things in your marriage, you automatically tune your heart to seek goodness in your spouse. It’s true that you often will find more of whatever you focus on, so keep your eyes fixed on the good things. Thankfulness will feed your faith in the future of your marriage.
Watchfulness
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2
In case you missed it, in my previous post I explained how watchfulness is one of the 3 Keys to For Tending the Fires of Passion. Watchfulness is what keeps your relationship from slipping into autopilot.
It’s important to “watch” from a position of thankfulness and not criticality or judgment. When you live with a heart full of thanksgiving, it will greatly affect what you see and how you see it! The truth is, You Become What You Behold, so keep focused on the good by remaining thankful.
For more on how watchfulness and thankfulness work in tandem, see Tips to Keep Your Heart Centered In Thankfulness and 4 Ways To Be Watchful Over Your Marriage.