The dictionary defines thankful as being full of thanks. Honestly it seems a little too simplistic. Can you really define a word by using a form of the same word? A synonym for thankful is grateful. The C.S. Lewis Institute defines gratitude as “recognizing that we have not done everything for ourselves, but that we depend on others (especially God), and need to appreciate them for what they do for us.” Now we are getting to the heart of the matter and exploring the true meaning of the word. With that in mind, let me tell you why thankful is a perfect word to describe my heart.
Psalm 95:1-3
“Come, let’s sing for joy to the Lord, let’s shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation!
Let’s come before His presence with a song of thanksgiving, let’s shout joyfully to Him in songs with instruments.
For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods…” (Psalm 95:1-3).
This seems like the perfect place to start and not just because I love this psalm. On my journey to thankfulness, all roads lead back to God. He is the source, the root, the foundation of all of my needs and wants. God is the Creator and the Sustainer of Life. Without Him, there is no life. The Lord is indeed “a great God” and above all else. I can praise Him for who He is and recognize His role in my life. Knowing who He is enables me to be thankful that there is a God.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Not only does God create and sustain life, but He allows me to “come before His presence with a song of thanksgiving.” While He is greater than me and does not need me, He desires a relationship with me. The Philippians verses above echo that desire. He tells me to “let your requests be made known to God.” He wants me to talk to Him in prayer. Notice that there is a connection between not being anxious and prayer. Another verse that illustrates the same connection is 1 Peter 5:7 which says, “having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.” God not only invites me to talk to Him, but He wants me to unload all of my anxious thoughts, fears, and worries on Him. In return, He will give me His peace to guard my heart and mind. What an exchange! Anxieties for peace.
However in order to pray effectively I must pray with thanksgiving. To go back to the C.S. Lewis Institute’s definition, I must pray in dependence on God and know that I have not done everything by myself. In other words, I must recognize that He is God and I am not. He is in control and I am not. He is independent and I am completely dependent on Him for life, for provision, for salvation, for everything.
2 Corinthians 9:15
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
The Lord is “the rock of my salvation.” My heart and mind is guarded “in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Jesus Christ is the “indescribable gift!” “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17).
Jesus left heaven to be born to a virgin. He lived a perfect life because He was fully God. Even though He had never sinned, Jesus, also fully man, died the death that I deserved on the cross. But three days later, He rose from the dead. Because I believe in the work that Jesus accomplished on the cross and who He is, He granted me eternal life. Since I know myself better than anyone else, I know the depth of this gift because I know the depth of my sin. I know from what He has forgiven me. Since the day of my salvation, gratitude springs forth freely from deep within my heart and soul.
Now that you know why thankful is the best word to describe my heart regardless of my circumstances, you can either completely relate or not. If you are the former, then you can join me in living a life of gratitude as you recognize and enjoy the countless blessings that come from God. If not, it is not too late. You too can become a child of God. Agree with God that you are a sinner. Ask Him to forgive you. And, ask Him to grant you the gifts of faith and repentence. Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Then the word thankful will best describe your heart as well.