Words from Co-pastor Michael Rogers: Thanksliving. An attitude of gratitude

Instead of having a day of Thanksgiving, we should learn to live in “ ThanksLiving!” Every day should be a day that we show thankfulness to God. Thankfulness is to render gratitude, or express thanks for words spoken or actions taken on our behalf. In order to be thankful, however, we must be able to recognize the giver's favor, gifts or promises on our behalf. The Bible is filled with as many as 30,000 different promises from God to His children.

Recognizing God's Blessings
We don't always recognize His goodness because it is contrary to our will. For example, when it rains on our family reunion, we don't appreciate His goodness. But when that same rain waters the ground causing food to grow, we are able to see His goodness when we eat the food.

You may also be wondering, ‘But how can I be thankful for pain and heartache?’ God is not asking you to be thankful, but to give thanks—there's a difference between feeling thankful and giving thanks. The first involves trusting our feelings, the latter involves trusting God. While our feelings will mislead us, God won't. Sometimes we have to trust Him through difficult circumstances, recognizing that He is sovereign and in control. Even if we don't immediately see the fulfillment of His promise, it doesn't mean we won't see it fulfilled eventually.

Refusing To Be Satisfied
An ungrateful heart is one that refuses to be satisfied, thereby rejecting both the Giver and the gift. Proverbs warns us that ungratefulness is associated with wickedness and is the opposite of loving God. The Bible describes unappreciative people as lovers of themselves and their accomplishments. Such an attitude breeds pride, rebellion, conceit and a lack of self-control, ultimately causing separation from Christ.

Changing An Ungrateful Heart
Gratitude begins with a tender heart of repentance. To obtain a repentant heart, we need to ask ourselves how and if we have rejected God and His blessings. Have we said, ‘This is not enough,’ or ‘This is not what I asked for?’ In what areas of our lives have we challenged His goodness, disbelieved His promises and refused to give glory to Him? Begin to acknowledge who God is and what He has done even when you don't understand why. Our lack of understanding should never be an excuse not to give thanks. — "Give thanks in all things for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," (I Thessalonians 5:18). An attitude of gratitude must be cultivated, and can be a sacrifice of time and effort.

It is significant that even Paul said, "I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content," (Philippians 4:11). It takes faith to thank God for circumstances that we do not understand. But is it not when we step out in faith that we are rewarded abundantly?

Though we struggle with giving unconditional thanks, God is able to change our stubborn hearts into grateful hearts through His unconditional love. Be thankful for everyday blessings.