Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (KJV)

Ephesians 5:20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NLT)

God notices a thankful heart. Consider the words of Jesus regarding the 10 lepers that He healed in Luke 17:  “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’ He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’ And Jesus said to the man, ‘Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.’” (verses 15-19, NLT) Jesus was obviously bewildered by the lack of thanks of the nine. Think about that for a moment, dear ones. The absence of thanksgiving robbed the nine from being made whole, or healed.  

To be thankful requires a God-ward mindset. It requires a “wide lens” view of life. An eternal rather than temporal view. In a world that is ever changing, Paul told the church at Corinth, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18, NIV) Giving thanks acknowledges the goodness of God towards us. Every good thing in your life today comes from God (James 1:17). The attitude of gratitude is a discipline that corresponds with a progressive understanding of the gospel. Gratitude stems from the realization that in Christ we are heaven-bound. Eternal life is knowing Christ and enjoying Him every day. Thanking Him for the “little things.” Beloved, when you KNOW that Jesus has “got your back” in life, nothing or nobody can take away your peace.

Thank You, Jesus, for being My Shepherd!