Can we talk about thanksgiving? The atmosphere/climate in early September around Texas does not herald the arrival of Fall very well.  And Fall, when it shows up with crisp winds and fall foliage whispers the arrival of the holiday seasons, the first of which is THANKSGIVING. 

I love Thanksgiving with family, friends, good food and the opportunity to look back, be present and be hopeful for what lies ahead.  How often do we really stop and allow ourselves to see with a thankful heart?  A heart of thanksgiving?

Psalm 95:2 says this:

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

The Hebrew word for Thanksgiving according to Strong’s Concordance #8426 is Todah; The meaning is thanks, thanksgiving, adoration, praise.  This word is derived from the verb yadah, “to give thanks, to praise.  The root of yadah is yad, “hand.” Thus, to thank or praise God is “to lift or extend one’s hands” in thanks to Him. 

It is so easy in today’s society to lose a heart of thanksgiving when we are surrounded by so much bad news in the media.  Daily demands from life, work and even play can drive us to negativity, hopelessness and exhaustion.  None of which induce us to “Todah,” giving thanks with hands lifted high. 

Thanksgiving must be a mindful mindset.  As children of God we have so very much to be thankful for. 

Psalm 103:1-4

Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name.  Bless the Lord, oh my soul and forget not all his benefits.  Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction

What a reason to lift up our hands and Thank the living God. 

It is so easy to become caught up in negativity. We must train our hearts and minds to be thankful.  OK, so here is the reality.  Some people are naturally more positive than others.  The world is filled with optimist and pessimist personalities. But the truth is that our redeemed nature, our new man must be trained to walk, (live) like a new man.  When we are set free form the bondage of sin by the precious blood of Jesus we must then learn how to walk like that new man.  The spirit of God resides within us but He will not force the new man attitude on you, including but not exclusive to thankfulness.

So, what then?

First, we must receive the knowledge that part of the new life experience is to abound in thanksgiving, it is what God desires of us.

Colossians 2:6-7

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving

Second, being Thankful will require us to daily make mindful occasion to lift up our hands, and give thanks.   Being thankful has the capacity to turn your whole day around as it shifts your attention, focus, and affections to your creator.  If you are naturally negative it may take some time to re-train thought and tongue to line up with the new man attitude.  But that is why it is called a walk.  We are all learning and none of has arrived at our desired destination.

Romans 12:2 in the amplified says this:

And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes],so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect[in His plan and purpose for you]

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me when I have not taken occasion to be thankful.  Forgive my complacency and my tendency to the negative.  Open my eyes to see your beauty and let me be forever mindful of your awesome power at work in my life.  Giving you all glory and praise in Jesus name. Amen